Local fishermen in Sonari village, Uran Taluka in Raigad district, are facing a loss of livelihood due to frequent fish deaths caused by environmental hazards. The issues stem from chemical tankers being washed at the shore and discharging waste into the creek, a vital fishing area for the fisherman of the village. Activists have claimed that ineffective regulatory measures have exacerbated the situation.
Every day, approximately 25 tankers carrying chemical residues are washed near the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority’s Container Freight facility, where a dedicated service centre operates. These tankers, used for transporting liquid cargo arriving at JNPA, undergo cleaning to prevent chemical reactions with subsequent loads. The ongoing discharge of these toxic substances into the creek has resulted in frequent mass fish deaths, significantly harming marine life and biodiversity in the region due to the highly damaging nature of the chemicals.
Hitesh Koli, a fisherman and chairman of Gavhan Koliwada Fishing Society, emphasised the urgency of action, stating, “Immediate intervention from the authorities is crucial to halt the washing of chemical tankers in the creek. This activity has severely affected fishing beds and local fish breeds, resulting in the daily death of hundreds of fish.” Hitesh, among other local activists, has raised this issue and demanded intervention from the authorities.
Nandakumar Waman Pawar, President of the Maharashtra Small Scale Traditional Fish Workers Union, has repeatedly filed complaints with the MPCB regarding the issue, but effective responses have been lacking. “Despite multiple notifications, authorities have neglected the impacts and have taken only superficial measures. This inaction directly affects the lives of local fishermen,” Pawar lamented.
Pawar highlighted that most of these tankers are owned by local residents, discouraging citizens from speaking out against the issue. “Fishing is officially prohibited during June and July, the breeding season for fish. However, officials remain silent as these chemicals continue to harm fishing beds, making many species vulnerable,” he added. Pawar also noted a recent incident in Panje village, Uran, where several fish were killed under similar circumstances, yet it received minimal attention. Local fishermen assert that these issues persist due to the involvement of multiple contractors and “tanker mafias” who disregard environmental concerns until their tasks are completed. “These individuals operate tank farms and conduct these activities when fishermen are absent from the creek. Initially, we were puzzled by the dead fish in the waters, but now we are certain about these illicit activities,” said Ramesh Koli, a Uran fisherman. He also mentioned instances where some brazen fishermen have made a quick buck from trading the dead fish, highlighting the complexity of the issue.
MPCB regional officials in the Navi-Mumbai region acknowledged the issue and directed local police to take legal action against those illegally washing tankers. They stated, “MPCB has instructed increased vigilance by local police to prevent illegal chemical disposal. Several authorised washing centres monitored by the board are under regular scrutiny. Water samples have been collected, and the fisheries department is examining deceased fish to determine the cause of death. MPCB plans to take appropriate legal action based on these findings.”