Fish farms will not pose threat to agricultural land, NGT told

Chennai

The case pertains to one filed by V Jagadesh of Tiruvallur, alleging pollution and degradation to groundwater and soil due to illegal functioning of ornamental fish farming near to his farmland.

On January 28, the tribunal constituted a committee comprising the Tiruvallur Collector, TN Pollution Contol Board (member), Assistant Director of Agriculture, and a senior scientist from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to inspect the area and to ascertain the allegations, holding required soil tests.

The committee submitted that the analysis revealed no damage to the agricultural lands. The soil organic carbon content is medium to high in range as per fertility rating and nitrogen content on above-average limits. “The nitrogen levels are usually high in water used for freshwater fish farming since more ammonia is released from the fish excreta. However, only less amount of nitrogen was found in the soil samples taken from Jagadesh’s farmland. This shows the water used for freshwater fish farming caused no damage to his land,” said the report adding the petitioner Jagadesh has been doing active cultivation and yielding a good harvest.

Recording the submissions, the tribunal said, “The committee has only mentioned the consequences and its effect on the neighbouring field on account of the functioning of the ornament fish farms. However, it has not mentioned as to whether they have obtained necessary clearance and if there is any violation, what is the action taken.”

The bench directed the government to file a status report and posted the case for hearing on July 31.