Industrial waste released into Phuleli Canal takes lives of thousands of fish, birds.

TANDO MUHAMMAD KHAN -- A sudden release of toxic chemical waste into the Phuleli Canal from the industrial areas of Hyderabad has caused deaths of thousands of fish and birds along the sides of the canal.

Experts have blamed the release of highly toxic chemicals from the industries located in the S.I.T.E areas in Hyderabad for having caused the deaths of fish and birds on such a large scale. The fish included tiger-tooth croaker, mullets, terapons, scat and seabream, which, according to experts, apparently had died due to the red tide phenomenon (an unexpected immense growth of small-sized plants and aquatic microorganisms).

When the Sindh Fisheries Department officials were contacted to find out about collecting samples and testing them, an officer of the department said that the department had not collected fish samples directly from the site yet.

When contacted by The Nation, local fishermen Juman Mallah and Qurban Mallah said the poisonous water was also streaming into the canals, the major source of drinking water supply to district Badin, Golarchi, Matli, Talhar, Tando Bago and Degree.

They...