Thousands of rare fish species found dead

Atmakuru: Thousands of fish belonging to Rhinomugil corsula, Salmostana and Ompak species and some amphibians, including Balloon frog, were found dead in the Bheemuni Kolanu in Nallamala forest region.

The death of large number of fish species is attributed to pollution of the water body with the disposal of adulterated oils, left-over food stuff and plastic covers in it by devotees travelling on foot to Srisailam. The devotees cook food on the banks of the pond and carelessly discard the left-over items.

The rare fish species that were found dead were first discovered in 1822 and 1863. More devotees belonging to Maharashtra and Karnataka are likely to reach Srisailam by foot in another 18 days passing through the area posing greater risk to aquatic species in the pond.