**BMC Removes 10,000 kg of Dead Fish and Ritual Waste from Historic Banganga Tank After Pitru Paksha**
*Mumbai:* The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cleared nearly 10,000 kilograms of dead fish and ritual waste from the historic Banganga Tank at Malabar Hill, following the conclusion of Pitru Paksha rituals, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The mass fish deaths were first noticed on Sunday, September 21, when devotees started offering flowers, food, and other items as part of the fortnight-long ritual. Civic authorities attributed the large-scale fish mortality to reduced oxygen levels in the water caused by the immersion of floral and organic material.
“We collected over 6,000 kg of waste on Sunday itself, followed by 2,000 kg each on Monday and Tuesday. The material included dead fish, floral offerings, plastic, and other organic waste,” a senior BMC official told the Indian Express. The waste was hauled away in seven dumper trucks.
To investigate the cause further, water samples have been sent for laboratory testing to rule out any chemical contamination. In response to the crisis, the BMC has installed aerators and dewatering pumps to infuse oxygen and pump fresh water into the tank.
“The steps are precautionary, aimed at stabilising water quality and preventing further deaths,” the official added.
Officials from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Fisheries Department, and Taraporewala Aquarium also inspected the site on Tuesday.
**About Banganga Tank**
Banganga Tank is a 12th-century freshwater stepped reservoir and a heritage site managed by the GSB Temple Trust. It is home to more than 220 species of fish. However, mass fish deaths during religious immersions have become a recurring issue at this location.
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### Activists Demand Artificial Ponds to Prevent Annual Fish Deaths
Following the recent incident, environmental activists have urged the BMC to implement preventive measures to protect the ecological balance of the water body, including the creation of artificial ponds specifically for ritual immersions.
Sneha Visariya, founder trustee of Just Smile Charitable Trust, highlighted the urgent need for change. “The puja materials should be banned from entering the water and should be immersed in artificial ponds, from which only the water can be released into the tank. This will also give devotees a sense of ritualistic fulfilment. We are killing living beings in the name of religion, and this should be stopped,” she stated.
Recalling a similar incident in 2022, Visariya shared that she had taken samples of dead fish to Parel Veterinary Hospital for post-mortem analysis. The report confirmed contaminated water as the cause of death, underscoring the need for immediate intervention.
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-bmc-removes-10000-kg-of-dead-fish-waste-from-banganga-tank-after-pitru-paksha-rituals