A troubling sight has emerged along the shores of Airoli Creek as a mounting pile of dead fish continues to wash ashore, raising concerns about the area’s environmental health. Over the past two to three days, the creek has witnessed a distressing increase in the number of deceased marine creatures, attributed to escalating chemical pollution.
The contamination stems from unregulated discharge of chemical effluents directly into the bay, primarily from industrial estates dotting the nearby landscape. This unchecked pollution has severely impacted the aquatic ecosystem, jeopardizing fish breeding grounds and diminishing fish populations. The recent spike in fatalities has been linked to a lethal combination of rising temperatures and escalating chemical pollutants.
Local fishermen, whose livelihoods depend on the creek’s bounty, are bearing the brunt of this ecological crisis. Hundreds of fish, including black fish, jitada, shrimp, bois, chimbori, and various other species endemic to the region, have succumbed to the toxic onslaught. Their nets, once teeming with life, now yield lifeless catches, unfit for consumption and unsellable in markets.
While fishermen and environmentalists have long sounded the alarm about the deteriorating conditions, little action has been taken to address the root causes of pollution. Despite repeated pleas for intervention, authorities have failed to curb the discharge of chemical waste into the bay, exacerbating the plight of local communities reliant on fishing.
The financial toll on fishermen is becoming increasingly evident, with losses mounting to lakhs of rupees as dead fish continue to litter the bay’s shores. Despite their hardships, fishermen express frustration over the lack of compensation and support from relevant authorities.
Efforts to engage local officials from the Airoli department have been hampered by ongoing election activities, delaying crucial discussions on mitigation measures. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board remains silent on the matter, leaving residents and fishermen grappling with the dire consequences of unchecked pollution.