Kochi: In an interesting turn of events, the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) has rejected the report submitted by the Kerala Pollution Control Board (PCB) regarding the mass fish death in Periyar. KUFOS has submitted a report to the State Fisheries Department, indicating alarming levels of ammonia and sulfur in the water. This finding directly contradicts the board's previous assertion of no chemical pollution.

The board's report, submitted to the Sub-Collector, attributed the fish deaths to a sharp drop in oxygen levels following the opening of shutters at Eloor. According to their findings, the oxygen levels plummeted from 6.4 to 2.1, leading to the mass fish deaths, and they emphasised that controlled water release could have prevented this. The report also highlighted that there was no change in the pH value of the water, indicating the absence of chemical contamination.

However, KUFOS's research committee has dismissed these conclusions. Their initial inspections revealed the presence of ammonia and sulfur in Periyar's waters after the mass fish deaths, suggesting contamination from organic and chemical waste. The KUFOS report calls for a detailed examination to confirm these findings and also notes the low oxygen levels in the water.

In preparation for their report, the KUFOS research team collected samples of dead fish and water from Periyar. This scientific study was commissioned by the Vice Chancellor of the university following instructions from the Department of Fisheries.