Shoals of fish were found dead and floating on Sumendu Lake in Mirik over the past few days, much to the concern of residents and the district fisheries department.

Mirik, a popular tourist destination nestled in Darjeeling hills, is known for its lake in the heart of the town. Hundreds of tourists flock to the lakeside or take a walk along the arch-shaped concrete footbridge that connects the two ends of the water body and feed the fish. Boating is yet another attraction for people visiting the town.

Fish like Cyprinus Carpio, commonly known as American Rohu, trout and silver carp, which can survive in cold water, are found in the lake.

Since Wednesday, residents have spotted the dead fish floating on the lake. They have also informed the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), the administrative body in the hills, about this development.

“We have retrieved hundreds of dead fish from the lake here since yesterday (Wednesday). It is surprising that the fish are dying in the lake. The fisheries department should engage experts to find out what has led to the incident,” said Aita Rai, an official of the tourism department of the GTA posted in Mirik.

Rai, who also heads the Small Food Cart Association in Mirik, said local civic authorities, along with NGOs, regularly clean the lake and clear debris to keep the water body clean.

“But unplanned dumping of waste in a part of the lake by a section of residents seems to have polluted the water, leading to deaths of the fish. This practice must be stopped now and the municipality should act on it,” he added.

As the news spread, officials of Darjeeling district fisheries department which works under the GTA, has initiated a probe.

“We have instructed our staff to visit the lake and submit a report to us. We will also collect water samples and get those tested in a lab to ascertain what caused the deaths and if the water is contaminated,” said Kaushik Maity, the district fisheries officer of Darjeeling.