Goa, April 13 -- The environmental crisis at Mala lake intensified on Sunday as more dead fish surfaced, creating a foul stench from decomposition that has overwhelmed the residential area. As the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) scrambled to clear the carcasses, the Goa State Pollution Con trol Board (GSPCB) launched an inves tigation into the mass fish mortality. Preliminary findings point toward a lethal drop in dissolved oxygen (DO) levels potentially caused by industrial effluents or the abrupt bunding of the lake waters.

Speaking to O Heraldo, Dr Mohan Girap, Scientist-C at GSPCB said, "Mala lake water was sampled by our Board staff yesterday evening (Saturday). Analysis of, basic parameters should, be ready by tomorrow." Ex...