Thousands of fish were found dead in the Kharkhari River in Boko, Assam, residents reported, raising fresh concerns that untreated industrial effluent may have contaminated the water and harmed local livelihoods and aquatic biodiversity. The mass die-off was observed along a stretch of the river from Shola to Trilochan, where large numbers of carcasses were seen floating and scattered along the banks, community members said.
Local residents and fishermen alleged that wastewater from the nearby Chaygaon Industrial Centre — and specifically from Brahmaputra Biochem Pvt. Ltd. — was released into the river without adequate treatment, creating the conditions for the fish kill. Species reportedly affected include puthi, khalihna, dorikona and borali, common to the river ecosystem, according to those on the scene.
Villagers said similar incidents have occurred on multiple occasions in recent years and that repeated complaints to authorities have not produced effective corrective measures or sustained monitoring. “We have lost our daily catch and fear the population will not recover,” one local fisherman told reporters, describing the immediate economic impact on families who depend on the river for income.
Environmental observers warned that continued discharge of pollutants could cause long-term ecological damage, degrading aquatic habitats, reducing biodiversity and impairing water quality. Experts also cautioned that prolonged contamination may affect food security and public health in communities that rely on river resources for drinking, irrigation and fish consumption.
The incident has renewed calls from residents and environmental advocates for a comprehensive investigation, immediate water-quality assessments and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations governing industrial operations in the region. Concerned community members urged the relevant departments to act swiftly to prevent further degradation of the Kharkhari River.
Authorities had not issued an official statement on the matter at the time of filing this report.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/video/industrial-pollution-allegations-surface-after-mass-fish-deaths-in-assams-kharkhari-river-1401444-2026-06-02?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-06-02 14:33:00
