Pollution in Nandini River affects centuries-old fish catching ritual at Khandige fair

Pollution in Nandini River affects centuries-old fish catching ritual at Khandige fair

/Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 16, 2026: Rising pollution levels in the Nandini River have affected the centuries-old fish-catching ritual held during the annual fair of Khandige Dharmarasu Sri Ullaya Daivasthana at Khandige in Chelairu.

Locals said increasing pollution in the river has led to the growth of weeds and water hyacinth, severely affecting aquatic life and drastically reducing fish availability. As a result, only a few people participated in the symbolic fish-catching ritual this year.

Traditionally, devotees from nearby villages gather at Khandige Sri Dharmarasu Ullaya Daivasthana to offer prayers during the annual fair. The ritual begins after the temple priest drops prasadam into the river, signalling the start of fish catching.

Residents accused the local administration and concerned departments of failing to take adequate measures to control river pollution. They said the contamination had not only reduced the fish population but also disrupted a ritual that has been practised for generations.

“In earlier years, hundreds of people from places like Kaup, Uchila and Mangaluru used to participate in the ritual by casting nets into the river. The fish caught from the Nandini River on this occasion was considered prasadam and shared among neighbours,” local residents said.

Residents alleged that untreated sewage being discharged into the river had severely damaged aquatic life. They further claimed that authorities had failed to take action against institutions responsible for releasing sewage into the water body. Earlier, freshwater fish varieties such as Kane, Irpe and Thede were commonly caught and taken home as prasadam.

Locals also alleged that the Mangaluru City Corporation had failed to remove the excessive growth of water hyacinth from the river this year.

Protest staged to save river

Members of the Nandini Nadi Ulisi Horata Samithi, along with local residents, staged a protest at Chelairu Khandige on Friday demanding immediate action to save the river.

Horata Samithi member Sukesh Shetty said the movement to protect the Nandini River would continue until the polluted river is restored and a permanent solution is found.

Former Chelairu Gram Panchayat president Jayananda said that despite continuous protests and repeated petitions submitted to various departments and elected representatives over the past two years, no effective action had been taken. He held the district administration and city corporation officials directly responsible for the worsening pollution of the river.

Committee member Diwakar Samani expressed concern over the sharp decline in the river’s condition, stating that while thousands of people once gathered to fish in the Nandini River, only a handful now take part, reflecting the river’s severe degradation.