From the tetrapod lined coasts of Colaba to the serene beaches in Vasai, around ten porpoises have been found dead in the past one month
While the number of dead dolphins washing ashore the city's coastline continues to rise, the state environment ministry seems to be oblivious to the incidents.
As many as 10 carcasses of finless porpoises have been spotted across the beaches of the island city in the past one month, leaving marine biologists, conservationists, activists and researchers baffled, while the state department was caught being unaware of the shocking sightings.
Speaking to Iamin on phone, Minister of State for Environment Pravin Pote-Patil claimed he was not informed of the occurrences, which has perturbed the city.
"Beaches of the city are the prime responsibility of the municipal corporation, be it pollution or the incidents of dead dolphins washing ashore. The civic body should have informed the environment department immediately, however I have received no such information," Patil said.
He assured that his department would coordinate with the corporation and examine the autopsy report of the carcasses to determine the cause of death.
"UInless we are able to pin-point the cause of death, we cannot initiate any specific response or mitigation steps. I will talk to the Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta on this and initiate a probe," Patil said.
