WFD 2025: Mass Fish Death in Indian Rivers

Mass fish death in Indian rivers. Courtesy-SANDRP - South Asia Network on Dams Rivers and People._11zon

By SANDRP on November 22, 2025

(Feature Image: Thousands of fish found dead in Mula-Mutha river near Naik Bet, a river island at Bund Garden in last week of Dec. 2024. Source)

Indian rivers continue to witness mass fish death incidents all through the year 2025. Most of these incidents we were able to track have occurred in urban rivers across the country including Mula-Mutha in Pune, Yamuna in Delhi, Gomti in Lucknow and Varuna in Varanasi. Mass fish mortality cases have also happened in streams passing through Nalagarh & Pithampur industrial areas of Himachal Pradesh & Madhya Pradesh. These streams are part of Sutlej-Ghaggar-Yamuna-Chambal river basins & have been facing large scale fish death for years.

The common factor observed in most of the cases is discharge of untreated industrial and domestic effluents in the rivers. The incidents of Nalagarh, Yamuna and Pithampur also suggest that industries have been doing the act deliberately right before or during monsoon months. The case of fish death in Yamuna in Delhi is quite interesting where like last year’s mass fish death, NGT has again taken sou-moto cognizance after similar incident in May this year but there is no significant improvement in the ground situation. The increasing and reoccurring incidents of mass fish death in Indian rivers, reflects very poorly on the governance, functioning of our pollution control boards and our urban as well as industrial policies & plans.

This is the sixth part of our annual overview on the subject and in the first five parts we have covered the positive developments on fisheries, impact of dams on fish diversity and habitats, important studies, new fish species discovered in India during past one year and ongoing resistance of Indian fisherfolks against destructive developmental projects.  

Pune: Dead fish in Mula-Mutha The incident came to light on Dec 23, 2024 when Prajkta Mahajan, a member of citizen group Pune River Revival, posted the dead fish incident on social media. In her post Mahajan mentioned that volunteers Amitraj and Nishad Sevekari on Dec 22 documented dead fish found floating along the riverbank from the Naidu STP outlet till Bund Garden. Incidents of fish dying due to contaminated water in Mula, Pavana and Indrayani rivers is a perennial problem in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area and activists have been demanding concrete measures to prevent river pollution rather than just focusing on beautification.

The local community said that untreated effluents that are being discharged directly into the river from the Naidu Pumping Station, is polluting the water and resulting in the death of aquatic life. The huge number of dead fish clearly shows the severe impact of untreated sewage and industrial waste being discharged into the river, bringing to light a critical environmental issue that needs immediate attention. “The reasons for this disaster are clear: untreated domestic waste, high microbial load increasing oxygen demand, and biological oxygen depletion, leaving no dissolved oxygen for aquatic organisms to survive.” Sarang Yadwalkar criticized the civic authorities for their inaction. Residents stated that both the PMC & MPCB failed to curb pollution in the river.

Mass fish death in Mula Hundreds of fish were found dead on Aug 14, 2025 morning in Pune’s Mula River. Residents who witnessed the scene called it a grim indicator of the dangerously polluted water. The fish deaths were also attributed to untreated sewage and effluent discharge, along with the Naidu STP’s functionality, which might have released untreated sewage as well. Environmental experts have consistently recommended that any true river rejuvenation must begin with stopping pollution at its source, ensuring proper sewage treatment and protecting riparian forests. Without these steps, cosmetic beautification projects risk turning the river into a lifeless canal.

Dead fish found again at Ram-Mula confluence Pune witnessed yet another environmental tragedy as thousands of dead fish were found floating in the Ramnadi stretch near the Mula confluence in Baner on Jan. 3, 2025. This marks the second such incident within ten days, raising serious concerns about the health of urban river systems. A team from the Pune River Revival Group discovered thousands of dead fish.

The volunteers of the group expressed deep concern, pointing out that the combination of dead fish and the destruction of riverbanks in the name of beautification is a stark warning signal. “Such events indicate that the larger aspect of riverine ecology is at stake. PMC is going to spend around ₹4,700 cr on the RFD project. We as citizens appeal to PMC to use the money to clean the river, take care of riparian zones, our wetlands, springs, and streams, instead of concretising the riverbanks,” added Amit Raj, another volunteer for the group.

Delhi: Mass fish death in Yamuna Thousands of fish were found dead in Yamuna near Burari in April 2025. As per fishermen in the area chemical-laden water from factories in Sonipat, Haryana & sewage from households have been released into the Yamuna, causing the fish death. A similar problem occurred in 2024, when large number of dead fish were visible in the Yamuna at this very spot. Recently, Delhi Pollution Control Committee’s monthly analysis for April also pointed out a spike in pollution at Palla, the entry point of the Yamuna in Delhi, which showed above-normal fecal levels & very low DO, a first in many years.

The NGT took suo-motu cognizance of the incident and on Sept 17, 2025 directed the member secretary, CPCB, to hold a joint meeting of the concerned authorities and file an action taken report within eight weeks. The NGT also rejected the contention of NMCG that the responsibility lay only with River Rejuvenation Committee. The tribunal said NMCG cannot be absolved of its responsibility because the clause of River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection & Management) Authorities Order, 2016 provides for the restoration & maintenance of chemical, physical & biological quality of the waters, which is to be achieved in a time-bound manner. The order covers Ganga & its tributaries, said the tribunal. Next hearing on Dec 1, 2025.

Last year too NGT had taken sou-motu cognizance of mass fish death in Yamuna in Burari in Aug 2024 due to discharge of untreated effluents in the river through drain number 8. Before this, mass fish death has happened in Yamuna river in Etawah, Mathura & Agra in July 2021.

Lucknow: Dead Fish in Gomti Fish in large number turned up dead when released in Gomti river by the Fisheries Minister Sanjay Nishad in Lucknow on Nov. 17, 2025. Fishermen present on the spot also said – the water is so dirty that half of them will die like this. 2 lakh fishes were released in the Gomti River Front near Laxman Jhula Park under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. Minister Sanjay Nishad claimed that earlier the motility (rate of movement) of fishes in the rivers was 30 percent, which has now reduced to 10 percent.

700 kg fish dead in Gomti A deliberate breach created in a mud bund built in dry Gomti riverbed between Bhitari and Gobra villages in the Kerakat Kotwali area of Jaunpur district on Oct. 19, 2025 night by some miscreants drained out the 2 km long waterbody and resulted in death of about 7 quintals of fish. After the rotten stench affecting villagers, the head man Vipin Singh reported the incident to the local police two days later. He stated that some miscreants deliberately cut the dam to do cultivation and mining in the river.

Mass fish death in Gomti On June 3 morning, fish in large number were found dead at Sitakund Dham on the Gomti riverbank in Sultanpur district. Gomti Mitras alleged that the fish died due to the release of chemical-laden water into the river. As per Ramakant Pandey, District Fisheries Officer, fish death happened in river around this time of year due to lack of oxygen. He also stated that due to the reduced flow, river water accumulated at many places and the intense heat dried up the water in many places.

On June 4, a large number of dead fish were seen in the Karaundikala area. Rs. 35 crore under Gomti Action Plan and Rs. 67 crore under Namami Gange Project have already been spent to clean the Gomti, but sewage continues to flow into the river. Under these projects govt has installed five 17 MLD pumps, created four ponds and built a STP in Lolepur, hardly making any impact on river health.

Within the city, from Sitakund Ghat to Karaundikala, a 50-km stretch, fish are floating dead in river further contaminating the water. Chemical laden water from factories is released into the river. Water from six big drains of the city also falls into Gomti river. The purification capacity of the STPs built on the drains is limited, whereas the discharge of polluted water is high.

Fish death in Beta river Thousands of dead fish were seen floating on the surface of the Beta River in Rahimabad area of Lucknow on Nov. 14, 2025. Alarmed villagers alleged that polluted water from factories in Sandila is discharged into the Beta river causing the fish death.   Villagers fear the pollution in the river can affect the health of their livestock. Similar incident had occurred last year too.

Varanasi: Pollution kills fish in Varuna Small-sized fishes were found dead recently along the banks of the Varuna River between the old bridge and Nakkhi Ghat. During the survey, it was also found that the interceptors installed for the collection/transportation of effluents from drains located on both banks of the Varuna River were non-functional. As a result, the interceptor overflow of untreated effluent was flowing directly into the river, naturally affecting the water quality of the Varuna River.

According to the Fish Farmers Development Agency, small fish of the bead fish species were found dead in large numbers in the Varuna River. A large quantity of garbage was found thrown in the water around the incident site. The river water has turned black due to city sewage being discharged through drains into the Varuna River. The water has become polluted due to the absence of an STP. Due to cloudy weather conditions during the rainy season over the past 2-3 days, oxygen levels in the water decreased, and due to polluted sewage water being discharged into the river, the carbon dioxide levels in the water must have increased, causing the death of bead fish species like Chelwa, Puthiya, Girhi, and Bata.

Himachal: Fish found dead in Chikani river Hundreds of dead fish were found in the Chikni River in Nalagarh, under the BBN industrial area, on Oct. 22, 2025 morning. Villagers alleged that the Kinwan industry discharged chemical-laden effluents into the river through the Ghaduan-Plasada drain. According to villagers, this drain passes directly through the Kinwan industry, and the industry has previously discharged effluents into the river at night. As per the locals the river’s water, used by nearby farmers, livestock, and drinking water projects, has now become contaminated. Previously, animal deaths have occurred due to pollution in the river. Villagers stated that the Kinwan industry was established despite opposition, and despite repeated complaints, pollution remained unchecked. They have threatened to approach the High Court if immediate action is not taken.

In July 2019, PCB ordered disconnection of power of 2 industrial units in Nalagarh industrial area after the officials found laxity in their effluent discharge mechanism. The action followed a fish mortality incident in Jagatkhana river owing to untreated toxic industrial effluents which had been let out by some industrial units. For July 5, 2012 fish mortality incident in Chikani river PCB officials blamed heavy silt, turbulence and high turbidity. Large scale fish mortality was reported in the river in July 2010 also. As per July 2010 report, several cases of fish mortality come to the fore every year during the rainy season when erring units dump their untreated chemical-ridden effluents into the water bodies surreptitiously.

MP: Toxic chemicals kill fish in Pithampur Hundreds of fish and other aquatic animals died after a toxic chemical was dumped into Angred river-a tributary of Chambal near Pithampur in Indore in Oct. 2025. The incident occurred near the Smart Industrial Park located between Suhagpura and Achana villages near Sagaur Sector 3 after a tanker driver reportedly emptied the chemical-laden tanker into a drain which contaminated Angred river. This is not the first such incident. For a long time, some industries have been discharging hazardous chemicals and contaminated water from tankers in open areas and along drains in night hours, causing serious harm to public health and natural water resources.

As per Oct 8, 2025 report highly toxic chemical, illegally released into the drains of Pipaliya village in the Pithampur industrial area reached Chambal river near Moodana village causing death of fish and aquatic life. This incident sparked widespread public outrage. Villagers & farmers said that industrial units have been quietly dumping toxic waste into the river for a long time, disrupting its ecology & seriously threatening water resources. Locals warned that if the administration does not take immediate & drastic action, they will launch a mass protest.

Explosives used to kill fish in Parbati  Explosives are being used to kill fish in Parbati river in Bhitarwar area. The administration or police has not taken any step to stop the destructive practice. The act is killing fish & aquatic life in large number. The rampant use of explosive is also damaging the structure of a check dam built for city’s drinking water supply.

UP: Poisoning causes massive fish loss Poachers poisoned the Bagul river at Kapoor Nagla Ghat to catch fish on Nov. 19, 2025 night. The poison contaminated the river water, resulting in the death of a large number of fish and other aquatic animals. Taking advantage of the darkness, the poachers collected the dead fish and fled the scene.

Bihar: River fish dead due to poisoning After an unidentified person poisoned the Bana River in the Nagar Panchayat of Gadhani in Aara, fish began to appear on the surface of the river for about 3 km long stretch of the river on Nov. 13, 2025. Hundreds of people jumped into the river with nets to catch fish.

Uttarakhand: Fish death in Kalyani river On the occasion of Chhath festival, people are angry over the deaths of fish due to chemicals in the Kalyani river flowing through Rudrapur city. It is alleged that a company dumped chemicals into the river, causing the fish deaths. ADM Pankaj Upadhyay said that the Pollution Control Board will investigate the matter.

Punjab farms flooded with dead fish The fish washed out in Sutlej floods got trapped in farm lands adjoining Fatehwala, Aalewala, Mallawala and Gatti Rajoke villages and started dying in large number in second week of Sept. 2025. The dead fish begun to rot and the stench made villagers lives miserable. The villagers demanded the administration to remove the dead fish promptly and sanitize the area.

Tamil Nadu: Mass fish death in Mettur canal Thousands of fish were found dead and floating in the 16-Gate canal of Mettur Dam in Salem on Oct. 29, 2025, causing concern among residents and local fishermen. The incident occurred after the release of surplus water through the canal was stopped earlier this week, leaving water stagnant along the stretch. Officials concluded that the mass fish mortality was most likely caused by oxygen depletion resulting from stagnant water, reduced inflow after the stoppage of surplus discharge, and high ambient temperature. The report also noted the absence of toxic residues or chemical pollutants in the collected samples. 

SANDRP