Hundreds of fish perish, lie afloat in Ulsoor Lake

Hundreds of fish perish, lie afloat in Ulsoor Lake

An initial investigation has revealed that the mass death of the freshwater fish indicated that a decline in water quality could have caused the incident.

Deccan Herald

Hundreds of fish were found afloat in Ulsoor lake on Wednesday, falling prey to lack of oxygen in the water.

Grass carp, Silver carp and Catla, the major Indian carp and Mrigal fish varieties, which were introduced in the lake nearly a year ago, were all found dead.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, the Joint Commissioner (East), Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, Mr N Jayaram, said initial investigations by experts from the civic body and the Department of Horticulture revealed that the high mortality of freshwater fish in the lake was due to a sudden and considerable fall in dissolved oxygen levels.
And over crowding in the lake also resulted in asphyxiation.

The increase in the aquatic weeds and algae has also contributed to the situation.
Mr Jayaram said that decline in the quality of water could not be ruled out. Fish and water samples have been sent to the Bangalore University Laboratory for analysis.

The population of fish had grown tremendously in the recent past and for about a year now harvesting was not done and it started only recently, said Mr N Jayaram.

The fishing contract was given to Fishing Society, added Mr N Jayaram.
The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike had introduced a stock of 61,500 fish into the lake in November 2003, following the recommendation of the University of Agriculture, Fisheries Department.