Mass fish deaths in Barak River worries Tamenglong denizens
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 24 2025: Reports of large-scale fish deaths due to possible chemical poisoning in the Nheng-Mpa section of the Barak River in Tamenglong district, have raised serious concerns about environmental safety and public health.

Use of toxic chemicals to catch fish is suspected to be behind fish in large number floating in the river, first reported on Thursday.

Environment activist Joyson Kamei has written to the director of Environment & Climate Change urging for immediate despatch of an expert team to investigate possible poisoning and take appropriate actions to protect the affected villagers and restore the river's ecosystem.

In his letter, Joyson Kamei highlighted the risk posed by the contaminated water and poisoned fish to the health of villagers settling along the Barak River and its downstream areas.

Mass fish deaths in Barak River worries Tamenglong denizens

Adding to the concern, a public notice issued by Enoch Newmei, convenor of the Nheng Community Reserve, shared on the Facebook page Liangmai Post on Thursday, has warned residents of Tamenglong and Tamei against buying or consuming fish, including dried or smoked, originating from the Nheng-Mpa area.

The notice informed that the poisoning occurred during the New Year holidays in the vicinity of Nheng-Mpa Fish Reserve area, resulting in the death of numerous fish.

Alarmingly, these dead fish are being collected and dried for sale in the market, posing serious health risks.

The incident has caused widespread concern among local communities dependent on the Barak River for their livelihoods and sustenance.

Authorities are urged to take swift action to investigate the poisoning, identify the culprits, and implement measures to ensure the safety of villagers and the restoration of the river's ecological balance.

The Barak River spans a total length of 900 kilometres, flowing through the Indian states of Manipur, Mizoram, and Assam before entering Bangladesh.

In Bangladesh, it bifurcates into the Surma and Kushiyara rivers, which later converge to form the Meghna River, eventually merging into the Ganges Delta.

Of its total length, 524 kilometres lie in India, and 31 kilometres are within Bangladesh.

The river flows southwest through Manipur until it reaches Tipaimukh, where it takes an almost 180 degree U-turn, heading north toward Jirimukh.

From there, it turns west, entering Assam's Cachar district, and finally crosses into Bangladesh at Bhanga Bazar.

The Barak River is renowned for its rich aquatic biodiversity, home to over 2,000 species of fish.

It also hosts rare and endangered species such as the River Barak or Siamese crocodile, the susu dolphin, the smooth-coated otter, and the black mugger crocodile.

The river's ecosystems are among the richest and most diverse in the world.

In recent years, environmentalists have raised alarms about the destruction of aquatic habitats and wildlife in the upper reaches of the Barak River, particularly in southern Assam.

The conservation group, Society for Activists for Forest and Environment (SAFE) had highlighted a troubling practice among tribal communities along the riverbanks.

These communities reportedly use, among others, smuggled gelatine sticks from Mizoram to kill fish.

This practice results in the mass death of aquatic organisms, including fish, turtles, dolphins, and other species, further endangering the river's fragile ecosystem.