KUCHING: Dead fishes found floating in Sungai Endap early yesterday has led to suspicion of river poisoning by unknown individuals.
The incident was recounted by a medical practitioner, Dr Ashok Segar, who lives at Mile 15-16, Jalan Kuching Serian, Mandala Drive, where the river flows through his property.
“This morning, while I was at the river, I noticed there are dead fishes floating. Some fishes were found dead on the shore of the river, including a prawn.
“I assume that someone or a group of people had deliberately poisoned the river which caused all the aquatic life in the river to die,” said Dr Segar when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune Today (Nov 30).
He also informed that this could not have been done by factories as the river and his property are located in the jungle far from any nearby factories or industrial plants in Siburan.
The 60-year-old Singaporean said the river is often visited by members of the public, including himself, for recreational and fishing activities.
“I always go down to the river and make some catches because the river flows through our property.
“We do make some catches, but we stock the river with fish fingerlings of various local species and culture them without nets to restock the river naturally for the benefit of all,” he added.
As the river has been poisoned, he warned that it not only harm the aquatic life in the river but also human lives as well.
Dr Segar said this incident is not the first time it has happened, adding that it is unfortunate that the river is being poisoned again.
“The last time Sungai Endap was poisoned was seven or eight years ago.
“I reported to the Environment Department (JAS) of the past incident. They identified the source and rectified problem.
“I have reported this incident to JAS and they will come here to inspect what caused the fish in the river to die,” he said.
Dr Segar has also lodged a police report in Siburan regarding the incident and is waiting for further actions from the relevant authority.
When asked what happened before, he said he noticed several motorcyclists passing near his property around 9 pm Tuesday night.
“This was out of the ordinary because there is no residential area beyond our property. It is not common to see them in the area.
“Then, when I went out to see the river this morning, I noticed that there were dead fish floating in the river. I thought the river is being poisoned,” he said.
While he has no control over the actions of individuals outside of his premises, he hopes that in the future such incident would not happen again and people need to be aware that such action (river poisoning) can endanger both the aquatic lives and people living nearby.
