Fish Found Dead In Lower Lake, A Designated Wetland Of International Repute

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Fish were found dead and floating in water bodies in Bhopal. Madhya Pradesh pollution control board (MPPCB) prima facie attributes it to increasing temperature which reduces dissolved oxygen which is one of the major causes of death of fish in water bodies.

However, MPPCB assures for testing of water sample to know other factors of deaths like pollution or chemicals. Fish were found dead in Khatlapura Ghat (Lower Lake), Shahpura Lake, Munshi Hussain Khan Talab etc. Fish were spotted in Lower Lake, one of two lakes in Bhoj wetland that is designated wetland of international repute under international Ramsar Convention.

As per MPPCB, high water temperatures can be a major factor in fish deaths, especially when combined with other stressors like low dissolved oxygen. As water temperature increases, the solubility of oxygen decreases, meaning less oxygen is available for fish to breathe. This can lead to suffocation.

The decomposition process leads to depletion of oxygen in the water body. Also, an increase in temperature results in decreased levels of dissolved oxygen in water.

When dissolved oxygen present in water decreases, fishes die. MPPCB regional officer Brijesh Sharma said, ‘Prima facie, it appears that due to high temperature oxygen level is reduced. But we collect water samples for testing of mixing chemicals and other pollution factors.’