Fishy affair : Fire Brigade comes to the rescue

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation swung into action on Thursday and beganoxygenating water of Kankaria lake after a number of fish died. Apparently, over crowding of fish in the lake had reduced levels of dissolved oxygen in the water. The Fire Brigade stationed three fire engines along the periphery of the lake since 11 am and began oxygenating the lake water by pumping it out and then releasing it back into the lake with force. This process continued throughout the day.

A portable water pump placed in a boat was also used throughout the day to oxygenate the lake water by pumping it out and then releasing it back after passing the water through a jet of air. Deputy Zoo Superintendent Dr B G Patel told that some fish were found to be suffocating in the water on Thursday morning. ‘Apparently, the level of dissolved oxygen in the water reduced considerably because of which the fish began suffocating," Dr Patel said. He admitted that a few fish did die and have been removed, but added that the Fire Brigade was immediately summoned and personnel began pumping water out of the lake.

However, the root problem for the AMC is the fact that almost all the fish in the Kankaria lake are a variety called Tilepia The Tilepia breed thrice a year and the officials said that 500 to 600 eggs fertilize and grow into adult fish from one female fish. This has been a concern for the AMC, which constantly reduces their number with the help of the fisheries department.

Further, the tilepia can withstand extreme conditions and still survives and the AMC has to constantly remain in touch with the state fisheries department, which monitors the number of fish in the lake.. "Too many fish in the lake causes problems and too few also disturbs the ecological balance, so their number is constantly monitored," an official said.

Incidentally, the AMC has made attempts to breed fish of different varieties in the lake, but the Sindhi Samaj has vehemently opposed this as the fish is considered to be the carrier of Lord Jhule lal. The problem of too many Tilepia fish continues to dog the civic body on a regular basis.

Republished from The Express Newsline