DERGAON, July 24 - Poisoning of the Kakodonga with highly toxic chemicals for catching fish has become a potent threat to the biodiversity of the river.
The river, which flows from the Naga hills through Golaghat and Jorhat districts, is a major source of local fish. But during this monsoon season, frequent pouring of toxic chemicals has led to major pollution of the water, and has led to premature death of aquatic animals on a large scale.
Such a case of poisoning was witnessed by the villagers near Chomani in Golaghat district under Chomani police outpost on Sunday. On being contacted, noted botanist Dr Padmeswar Gogoi opined that use of toxic chemicals will ruin the biodiversity of the river.
�We can easily use traditional poison from plants like Croton Tiglium, popularly known as kani bih, which has no side effect on the fish to be caught, or even on other aquatic animals,� he added.
When contacted, the Fishery Development Officer at Golaghat, Purnima Deka told this Correspondent that the district Fishery Department is planning to take up awareness programmes against such misdeeds.
However, the district Fishery Officer could not be contacted in this regard. Reacting to the incident, the president of nature organisation AASHRAY, Biren Chandra Saikia opined that the people should use locally available material for fishing in the river.
�The authority concerned should do the needful to prevent such destructive activities,� a socially conscious local resident opined.
