Dogs in Mumbai suburbs are turning blue, thanks to human intervention

In a strange phenomenon, stray dogs are turning blue in colour near Navi Mumbai’s Taloja industrial area.

The reason for it is the industrial waste released into the Kasada river is turning their fur a bright shade of blue. The dogs wade into the river for food.

A water quality test at Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation found the waste treatment was inadequate. The levels of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), the concentration of oxygen required to sustain aquatic life, was 80 milligram a litre (mg/L). 

Levels of chloride, which is toxic, harms vegetation, aquatic life and wildlife, were also high, reported the Hindustan Times.

The area has nearly a 1,000 pharmaceutical, food and engineering factories.

The polluted water is also likely to affect human health. According to Central Pollution Control Board guidelines, fish die when BOD level is above 6 mg/L. Levels above 3 mg/L make the water unfit for human consumption, reported Hindustan Times.

On Wednesday, August 9, the Navi Mumbai Animal Protection Cell took pictures of a dog whose fur had been dyed blue. The group filed a complaint with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on Thursday, August 10, saying animals in the area were suffering because dyes were being released directly into the river by industrial units.

MPCB officials stated that they had taken cognisance of the complaint. “Allowing the discharge of dye into any water body is illegal. We will take action against the polluters as they are destroying the environment. We have directed our sub-regional officer to investigate,” said Anil Mohekar, regional officer, MPCB, Navi Mumbai.

The effluents have also destroyed the aquatic life and the fishes, allege local fishermen.
 

• Dogs
• Mumbai suburbs
• turning blue