Toxic sewage and medical waste is pouring into five fisheries department-owned water bodies off EM Bypass, killing fish and corrupting business for fishing cooperative. Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) started channeling waste from neighboring areas into the lakes without informing the fishermen, it has been alleged.Even though inhabitants have lodged complaints both with KMC and the fisheries department no step has been taken to save the lakes or their livelihood.

Members of the Briji-Patuli Samabay Samity Ltd first noticed the water turning black in Lake last September. The next day, hundreds of dead fish were seen hovering in the water. Alarmed fishermen started investigating and found that rubbish and waste from a nearby hospital and neighboring areas like Panchasayar, Garia and Naktala were being routed into the lake. Since the lakes are associated, five more ponds, measuring 7-8 bighas each, fell prey.

"We were surprised to find that Panchannagram lead canal, which carries waste, has been linked to the waterbodies. A defective pumping technique resulted in a backflow of hospital wastes into the waterbodies. KMC and the fisheries department know this could spell destiny for piscicultutre, but we were not informed," said Ujjal Chatterjee, chairman of the cooperative.

The entire population of rohu, katla and bata in the lakes is. "Our losses have already run into lakhs. Unless the drainage system is distorted, pisciculture will have to be stopped here," said Chatterjee. As many as 24 water bodies in the area are under risk of contamination. Residents agreed for sandbags to block the sewage water. "It worked for a few weeks, but it was barely enough. Sewage is garrulous in again," said D K Gupta of Patuli Residents' Association. "Our letters to the mayor and the fisheries minister have evoked no response."

KMC has washed its hands of the topic, saying it had not yet taken charge of the Patuli township from KMDA. The latter had promised to look into the matter two months ago but nothing has been done till date.

Residents also claim that attempts are being made to fill up portions of one of the infected ponds. "A month back, we spotted men selected by promoters taking measurements along the lakes. We informed the fisheries department directly. If pisciculture is discontinued, these lakes will not survive," said Gupta. Members of the cooperative have decided to meet the district magistrate. "This is our final effort to save the waterbodies," said Chatterjee.