05 June,2026 05:16 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
The incident was reported at Milapnagar Lake in the Dombivli MIDC area on Thursday. Representational Pic/File
Hundreds of fish were found dead in a lake in Maharashtra's Thane district, prompting concern among residents and triggering an investigation by environmental authorities, reported the PTI.
The incident was reported at Milapnagar Lake in the Dombivli MIDC area on Thursday.
Local residents claimed that the lake water had turned black and that a strong foul smell had spread across the surrounding area.
They alleged that untreated effluents from nearby chemical and industrial units may have entered the lake, leading to the death of the fish.
The incident has sparked anger among residents, who have demanded strict action against those responsible.
According to the PTI, officials from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) visited the site shortly after the incident was reported.
Water samples were collected from the lake and sent for testing to determine the cause of the fish deaths.
According to civic officials, a preliminary inspection suggests that industrial waste discharge may have contaminated the water body.
People living in Milapnagar and nearby MIDC areas said similar incidents have occurred in the past.
They claimed that despite repeated complaints regarding pollution and industrial waste disposal, a long-term solution has yet to be implemented.
Residents have urged authorities to strengthen monitoring of industrial units operating in the area and prevent future environmental damage.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has launched an inquiry into the incident.
Officials said action would be taken if the investigation confirms that untreated industrial effluents were released into the lake in violation of environmental regulations.
Stressing that restoring river health must take precedence over cosmetic upgrades, Maharashtra Minister of Environment and Climate Change Pankaja Munde had in April said, "Even if river beautification is delayed, ensuring pollution-free rivers is non-negotiable."
She also announced that the state government is in the final stages of establishing an independent River Rejuvenation Authority to exclusively focus on restoring polluted rivers.
Munde was speaking at a high-level review meeting held at the Pimpri-Chinchwad Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) headquarters in Akurdi.
(with PTI inputs)
