Industrial waste likely killed 100 wild boars in Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary: Report

About 100 wild boars were found dead in Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary in March this year. The postmortem report of the dead wild boars, a copy of which was available with The Tribune, indicates that the wild boars might have died due to toxic waste in Nangal Lake, which is part of the sanctuary. According to the report, the postmortem examination was done by Civil Veterinary Hospital in the Bhaton village of Ropar district.

The report states that the wild boars seem to have died due to severe degenerative changes in their lungs and liver, coupled with septic involvement. Maggots were observed on the carcasses, particularly around the eyes and mouth, but no external wounds were detected. The internal examination revealed congestion and haemorrhages in the lungs, suggesting lung damage. The liver showed signs of severe degeneration, while other organs like the spleen and lymph nodes appeared congested.

The microscopic examination further confirmed alveolar tissue degeneration and infiltration in the lungs, along with advanced degenerative changes in the liver. Based on gross and histopathological findings, veterinary experts concluded that the possible cause of death was systemic degenerative changes affecting vital organs, leading to septicaemia.

Dr Gaurav, a veterinarian who was part of the team that conducted the autopsy, said that pollution and the presence of toxic substances in Nangal Dam Lake cannot be ruled out as a reason for the death of the wild boars. “This poisoning due to toxic waste in water cannot be ruled out,” he said.

Prabhat Bhatti, an environmental activist, stated that local people had been raising alarms regarding pollution in the Nangal Dam Wildlife Sanctuary area due to effluents coming from the industrial area of Himachal Pradesh located in Golthai, Bilaspur district. The pollution from industrial areas comes from a rivulet that flows from Himachal and enters Nangal Dam Lake. The postmortem report seems to have substantiated the fears of the people in the area.

The wild boars, which are protected under Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Protection Act, appear to have died from water poisoning due to industrial effluents coming from Himachal. What’s more alarming is that water for many water supply schemes in the region is lifted from Nangal Dam Lake, Bhatti added.

DFO Wildlife Ropar, Kulraj Singh, admitted that the postmortem report indicated possible poisoning of water due to industrial effluents as the cause of death of the wild boars. “We had written to the authorities of Punjab Pollution Control Board to take further action in the matter. The authorities had written to their counterparts in Himachal,” he said.

The DFO wildlife Ropar, Kulraj Singh when contacted admitted that the postmortem report of dead wild boars had indicated towards possible poisoning of water due to industrial effluents that became cause of death of wild boars. We had written to the authorities of Punjab pollution control board to take further action in the matter. The Punjab Pollution Control Board authorities had written to counterparts in Himachal, he said.

Sources said that despite the postmortem report being submitted to authorities, no case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act, despite the death of protected wild boars in large numbers.