Ennore fisherfolk block road after mass fish death in Kosasthalaiyar river
Hundreds of fisherfolk from eight villages near Ennore staged a road blockade on Sunday, August 16, 2026, after large quantities of fish and other aquatic life were found dead and floating in the Kosasthalaiyar river near the estuary. The demonstration on Thazhankuppam main road was in protest against the lack of government response to what they described as an unprecedented ecological disaster.
According to local fisherfolk, several species including madavai, kizhangan, oodan, karuva, kelathi, prawns, and crabs were found dead across large stretches of the river. Scores of dead fish had also accumulated along the banks and near mangroves. The affected communities said they had never witnessed fish dying and washing ashore on this scale before and suspected the discharge of chemical waste into the river.
“We demand that water and fish samples be collected and analysed to determine the exact cause — whether it is a particular pollutant, sudden change in water quality, oxygen depletion, or something else,” said a spokesperson for the protesting fisherfolk, who did not want to be named. The protesters alleged that no government officials had visited the affected area or met them after the mass fish kill.
The incident has reignited longstanding concerns over pollution in the Ennore estuary and the Kosasthalaiyar river, which have been under pressure from industrial effluents, sewage, thermal discharges, and fly ash from the concentration of industries and thermal power plants in the region. Earlier assessments, including those by expert committees constituted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), have documented environmental damage caused by fly ash in the Ennore backwaters, including its impact on soil, water, flora, fauna, and marine biology.
A subsequent expert assessment had recorded concerns over ash reaching the wetlands and river system and affecting the hydrology and ecology of the backwaters. Separately, a study by researchers from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) published observations of fish mortality in Ennore associated with industrial effluents and domestic sewage. Earlier research also estimated that industrial establishments were releasing large quantities of effluents carrying heavy metals into the estuary.
The current fish kill is the latest in a series of environmental incidents in the region. In the past, stretches of Ennore Creek have been observed with yellow chemical coatings, prompting local demands for government intervention. Environmental activists and community leaders have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of pollution control norms and a comprehensive restoration plan for the estuary.
As of Sunday evening, the blockade continued with protesters demanding immediate action. They have urged the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the district administration to collect samples from the affected areas and initiate a transparent inquiry. They also sought compensation for the loss of livelihood, as fishing activities have been suspended following the incident.
The authorities have not yet issued an official statement. Meanwhile, local residents expressed concern over the possible long-term impact on fish stocks and the health of the river ecosystem. The incident underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address industrial pollution and protect the livelihoods of communities dependent on the estuary.
