All cut up : Wounds on Swat’s fish point to a mysterious ailment

Disease threatens locals of Swat; experts blame industrial, commercial waste.

MINGORA: Hatchery owners and fish farmers have discovered lesions or cuts on three species of fish in Swat River and believe it may indicate that they have been afflicted with a mysterious ailment.

Doctors believe the fish may have a disease as they have been diagnosed with potential wounds, clotted blood and puss on their skin. Health experts have narrowed the potential ailments to three.

Farmers claim Swat River is home to 50 kinds of unique fish and the fisheries department is paying no heed to this problem. Several fish have died from this strange ailment which may also post a threat to humans. Taking some action, the district administration has imposed a ban on fishing and the sale of catch.



Farmers say Swat River used to be full of transparent and clear water, but newly built hotels and restaurants in nearby areas have exposed it to pollution.

As a result, the water is now contaminated.

Another reason is that as Swat has been declared a tax-free zone and cosmetic factory owners from across the country have converged on the area. The gases emitted by factories have spelled troubled times for aquatic animals and reduced their mortality.

A few years ago, a survey was conducted and experts declared the water of Swat River as highly hazardous for fish due to the chemical content.

When contacted, Madyan Trout Hatchery Director Jahansher says fish and samples have been sent to a laboratory in Lahore for tests to determine the nature of this disease.

They are now waiting to collect the report.

He adds this ailment has also been detected in Shangla, Panjkora River and Kunar River. Jahansher says the problem could be related to climate change or chemicals in the river.



Normally, when a sick fish is caught, we change its place and the water. We separate fish in ponds and aquariums, give them a salt and potassium permanganate bath or add cement.

However, the medicines are not working due to the high level of water in the Swat River. People involved in the fish business have asked the relevant authorities to take action and adequate measures.

Meanwhile, locals have criticised the district administration and government for neglecting this issue. They claim that no action has been taken against authorities for dumping garbage or chemicals in the water.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2016.