GADWAL: Along the banks of the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers in Jogulamba Gadwal district, illegal cultivation of banned catfish and fungus fish is flourishing.
Several acres of farmland have been leased for this purpose, with operators concealing catfish ponds amid regular fish farms.
Poultry waste and rotten eggs transported from Hyderabad are being used as feed in these farms. The fish, raised in unhygienic conditions, are reportedly transported at night to Hyderabad and Bengaluru markets for sale.
Chicken waste trade worth ₹60-80 lakh a year
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Local traders collect chicken waste and spoiled eggs from poultry centres in the evenings and supply them to fish farmers after boiling. The demand for this waste has risen sharply, with suppliers earning lakhs through annual contracts. Waste previously discarded now fetches up to ₹8 a kilo. Disputes have reportedly emerged among contractors over payment delays and exclusive collection rights.
AP-based operators lease farmlands
Fish farmers from Andhra Pradesh's Krishna and Nellore regions are said to have taken farmlands on lease in villages such as Mogiliraavulacheruvu, Thimmapur, Sheikpalli, Beechupalli, Uppairu, Garlapadu, Nettampadu, and Khammampadu. In Thimmapur alone, catfish are being cultivated over nearly 100 acres. Farmers say using chicken waste as feed yields two harvests a year instead of one, making the illegal trade lucrative.
Health hazards of consuming catfish
Doctors have warned that consuming catfish raised on poultry waste can lead to serious health problems, including cancer. The species was banned earlier for being harmful to both humans and the aquatic ecosystem, but illegal breeding continues unchecked, contaminating river water and threatening biodiversity.
Fisheries department response
"There are no authorised catfish ponds in the district. We will increase surveillance and act against those feeding fish with chicken waste," said Fisheries Assistant Director Shakeela Bhanu.