12 lakh fishlings to be released in Beas river
Punjab government will release 12 lakh fishlings in Beas river, the ecology of which was damaged following the spillage of molasses into the water killing a large number of fish, an official statement released on Monday said.
A large number of fish were found dead in Beas on May 17 after molasses from a sugar factory leaked into the river in Beas town, about 40 km from Amritsar.
"Three lakh fishlings shall be released in Beas river every month during the next four months," Punjab Environment minister O P Soni said in the release.
In addition, adequate fish from the Pong dam shall also be procured after breeding season of fish is over for release in the river, he said.
Soni said adequate funds shall be made available to the wildlife and other government agencies to revitalise the aquatic life in Beas.
After the spillage incident, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) had imposed a fine of Rs five crore on the Chadha Sugar mill for "causing degradation of ecology of Beas river" with the spillage of molasses into river that killed of a large number of fish and damaged the aquatic ecosystem.
The PPCB also ordered that the mill remain sealed unless all the pollution control measures were taken. The board has already released a sum of Rs 25 lakh to the Wildlife department out of Rs one crore deposited by the Sugarmill, said the release. PTI
