HALIYALA: Thousands of fish in the historic lake in Haliyala have perished after the toxic effluents from the GMR Sugar Factory here was released into the lake. Reports said the factory was letting its wastes into the Hullatti lake adjacent to it since the past two days, leading to the tragedy.
The fish were found to have bled immensely before dying and thousands of them were seen lying dead on the banks of the lake. According to one estimate the loss was nearly Rs 2 lakhs.
Fisheries Assistant Director Timmaya visited the spot and collected samples of fish and water for a test and the report is expected to be soon out.
No sooner the news spread around, public, fish lovers and the local panchayat members arrived at the spot and staged a rasta rook blocking the lorries transporting sugarcane to the plant and shouted slogans against the company.
Reports also said that several who had consumed fish from this lake had fallen ill. Meanwhile, the local panchayat had issued warning through loudspeakers requesting people against consuming fish from the Hullatti lake. It is learnt even cattle which had consumed the water from this lake have fallen ill. Already, the lotus in the lake as well as the nearby grass have been charred due to the impact of the toxic waste.
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