Four-member expert panel formed over mass fish kill in Kosasthalaiyar river, T.N. Environment Minister informs Assembly

Tamil Nadu Minister for Environment and Climate Change V.K. Rajeev, on Friday (August 21, 2026), said a four-member expert committee has been formed to probe the mass death of fish in the Kosasthalaiyar river near the Ennore estuary recently.

Replying to the Calling Attention Motion moved by AIADMK floor leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami in the Assembly, Mr. Rajeev denied that toxic industrial effluents had mixed with the river water and said the mixing of sewage from nearby areas had led to water pollution. He said the expert committee had been instructed to submit a detailed report within 10 days.

He said officials from the Fisheries Department and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) had collected samples of water and dead fish and sent them to a laboratory for analysis. He said a total of 2,150 kg of dead fish had been removed from the Ennore estuary.

Earlier, while moving the Calling Attention Motion, Mr. Palaniswami said the mass death of fish in the Kosasthalaiyar river near the Ennore estuary was a matter of serious concern as it affected the livelihoods of catamaran and fibreboat fishermen. He demanded a proper inspection by TNPCB officials.

Former Environment Minister Thangam Thennarasu said the Kosasthalaiyar-Ennore creek was an ecologically sensitive area and needed immediate attention to curb pollution.

PMK MLA A. Ganesh Kumar alleged that several industries had been functioning and discharging their effluents into the Kosasthalaiyar river, leading to its pollution. He demanded that the government take permanent measures to prevent such incidents.