Time to take environmental degradation seriously

Dead fish in the Panje-Dongri wetlands

Thousands of dead fish were found floating in the Panje-Dongri wetlands in Raigad district recently. Environmentalists claim this is the work of anti-social elements aiming to destroy the wetland's biodiversity and facilitate land encroachment. An environmentalist had written to a number of officials pointing to red flags.

According to the green activist, some kind of harmful chemicals seem to have been used. People may consume these fish, which will cause health hazards. People need to be prevented from doing so. His email requested that a team be sent immediately to the site to investigate the matter.

The species of fish that were found floating included boi, also known as the Indian white mullet; jitada, also known as Asian seabass; crabs; tilapia; lobsters; etc. Our report cited how environment lovers have highlighted that Panje has been under attack for several years, with the intermittent blocking of tidal water by miscreants, resulting in a decrease in the migratory bird population.

We want to see these complaints investigated and taken seriously. Often, emails are not answered and complaints are not taken cognisance of. These are dismissed as figments of the imagination, or, simply too flippant. Climate change/environment is seen as too niche or a not-so-serious subject.

Sometimes complaints are looked into but there has been so much delay that action is ineffectual or simply, that the problem has festered for so long that it has taken strong root and will be difficult to stamp out.

This is particularly true of encroachment, whether it be of wetlands or even a patch of public road, pavement or any kind of facility. When encroachment takes place through negligence or a wilful blind eye, it always becomes very difficult to remove, depriving people of their rightful space or infra.