Durgam Cheruvu fish deaths: What caused the mass deaths and why fishermen are demanding action?
HYDERABAD: Large quantities of fish have died in Durgam Cheruvu at Jubilee Hills after polluted water allegedly entered the lake, Raidurgam Fishermen Society president Neelam Surender said, as reported by DC.
Surender and local fishermen inspected the lake after noticing the fish deaths. They estimated losses worth lakhs of rupees, leaving several fishing families in financial distress.
The affected fish included rohu, catla and murrel, weighing around 1–3 kg each. Fishermen had planned to harvest and sell the stock next month.
Surender alleged that wastewater containing industrial waste and chemicals from surrounding areas entered the lake. He said the pollution may have caused the fish deaths.
Seeking government intervention, Surender demanded ₹20 lakh in compensation for the affected families. He also called for insurance coverage for fish stocks lost due to pollution and natural calamities.
He claimed that sewage treatment plants (STPs) around the lake lacked the capacity to handle the incoming wastewater. Surender urged the government to increase treatment capacity by 1.5 crore litres and stop sewage and industrial waste from entering the lake.
He also sought coordinated action from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB), Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and irrigation department to prevent further pollution.
Surender warned that fishermen would intensify their protest if the government failed to act and provide compensation.
“If the government fails to act immediately and compensate the affected fishermen, we will mobilise the fishing community and intensify our protest,” he said.
