Fish deaths at Kelgeri tank raise alarm over pollution, untreated sewage

The historic Kelgeri tank in Dharwad is once again facing an environmental crisis, with hundreds of fish dying over the past three days, sending shockwaves through the local fishing community and raising concerns about the tank’s fragile ecosystem.

The fishermen, who noticed medium and large-sized fish floating lifeless, immediately alerted the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC). While water samples have been sent for testing, officials have yet to pinpoint the exact cause.

Environmentalists, however, blame the release of untreated sewage, high levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) from agricultural runoff, and pesticide contamination for the crisis. Harshvardhan Sheelvanth from the Nature Research Centre highlighted how excessive NPK boosts the growth of water hyacinth, which now covers nearly 40% of the tank, blocking sunlight and reducing dissolved oxygen—essential for fish survival.

The Kelgeri area, known for its mango orchards, saw pesticide-laced runoff enter the tank following recent rains. These chemicals are toxic to aquatic life.

Shankar Kumbi, president of Hubballi-Dharwad Nagarika Parisara Vedike, stressed that sewage from CB Nagar, Srinagar, and Malmaddi continues to pollute the tank due to choked drainage systems, marking the second major fish death incident in three years.

While the University of Agricultural Sciences, custodian of the tank, claims ongoing efforts to remove water hyacinth, the rapid growth caused by pollution has overwhelmed their capacity. They have requested HDMC’s support to rejuvenate the tank.

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