Mass fish deaths in Odisha dam spark outrage

Hundreds of quintals of fish, including rohu and catla, have been found floating dead in the waters of Parang Dam in Angul district on Friday.

As per reports, the shocking incident has caused deep concern among members of the Brahmani Devi Self-Help Group of Parang Gram Panchayat, who have taken the lease of the dam for fish farming.

The group had reportedly invested around Rs 60 lakh by taking loans to release fish seedlings into the dam. However, with both small and large fish now dying and floating in the water, the self-help group members face severe financial distress.

Local residents and members of the self-help group suspect chemical contamination of water from a nearby private steel plant may be responsible for the mass fish deaths. They have alleged that industrial waste and effluents from the factory are being discharged directly into the dam, polluting the water and killing the fish.

Also Read: Thousands of dead fish wash ashore in Paradip, chemical pollution suspected

"Contaminated water from the nearby plant is responsible for the mass fish deaths. All the fish in the dam have died. The self-help group members have invested a huge amount of money in fish farming. They should get the proper compensation," said Parang Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Shabara Behera.