Ennore fisherfolk held a demonstration on Sunday after large quantities of fish were identified dead and floating in the Kosasthalaiyar river near the Ennore estuary. Officials from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) collected water and fish samples from the affected areas for analysis.
Thousands of fish and other aquatic life, including madavai, kizhangan, oodan, karuva and kelathi, besides prawns and crabs, were identified dead in the river. The fish were seen floating across substantial stretches of the water. Scores had accumulated along the banks and near mangroves.
Fisherfolk from Ennore said the incident was an unprecedented disaster as they had never witnessed fish dying and washing ashore on such a scale. They alleged that the fish deaths could be linked to the discharge of chemical effluents into the river and triggered concern over the impact on their livelihoods.
Fisherfolk from eight fishing villages resorted to a road blockade on Thazhankuppam main road. Following this, Tiruvallur MLA T. Arunkumar, the Tahsildar, TNPCB officials, and an Assistant Engineer from the Fisheries Department arrived to hold negotiations.
As they had never witnessed fish dying and washing ashore on such a scale before, fisherfolk from Ennore said the incident was an unprecedented disaster in the area. They said the fish deaths could be linked to the discharge of chemical waste into the river and have triggered concern over the impact on their livelihoods. | Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
The incident comes amidst longstanding concerns over pollution in the Ennore estuary and the Kosasthalaiyar River. The area has been affected by industrial effluents, sewage, coolant water, and fly ash from the concentration of industries and thermal power plants around the estuary.
Yellow chemical covers waters of Ennore Creek; fishermen want government to step in
Fisherfolk sought a detailed report on the nature of the effluents that had entered the waterbody, including whether they were toxic and which industries or companies were responsible for the discharge. “Such kind of effluent release has become a regular incident now. How can we make a livelihood by fishing if this is the case,” stated Madhanagopal.
They also sought compensation for the loss of livelihood. The fisherfolk said the estuary was an notable fish-breeding area and that thousands of fish had died in the incident. They demanded compensation equivalent to one year’s livelihood, saying they had never witnessed a fish kill on this scale.
Their third demand was for employment opportunities in the industries and thermal power plants in the area. Vishanth, a local fisher, said the community had been promised jobs when the thermal power plants were established, but only around 500 residents were provided employment initially. “Our livelihoods have already been damaged by fly ash and hot coolant water,” he said. The MLA assured the protesting fisherfolk that jobs would be provided to eligible members of the local communities.
Published – August 16, 2026 10:48 am IST
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