Angling club members and conservationists fear a re-run of what has been a regular occurrence at Jayanti Sarovar here for the last few summers: hundreds of dead fish floating amid those that are alive and gasping for breath. The reasons behind this heart-rending calamity, silt deposits leading to depletion in the water level of lake and oily pollutants near the shallow parts, are as valid this summer as it was in the last four years during April-May, when temperatures shot up above 40°C and there were storms at night. No wonder conservationists have already started to air their concern. “It is April-end and the temperature has not shot up above 40°C,” said K.K. Sharma, a conservationist and former zoology head of Jamshedpur Cooperative College. But he warned that if the temperature rose above 40°C, as it was usual in May, and there was a sudden late evening downpour, then there could be a rerun of the tragic occurrence reported by morning walkers who spotted dead fish floating in the lake and people diving in to catch the dying fish that were gasping for breath. “The depth of the lake has decreased drastically due to silt. One can clearly see oily pollutants floating near inlets. It is time Jusco and Jamshedpur Angling Club take up desperate measures,” Kumar, a morning walker, said. He explained why the fish die. “Shallow water gets hot and when there is a sudden change in temperature due to showers, it affects oxygen content leading to the death of fish. The lake is so shallow that egrets walk on the surface while hunting for fish.” Aftab Khan, general secretary of Jamshedpur Angling Club that coordinates fishing activity at the lake, admitted silt deposits and pollution were major problems but added damage control had begun. “The lake has to be de-silted since such an exercise has not taken place for years. Soak pits aren’t serving the purpose as we spot plastic and other forms of garbage accumulating in the lake. We have tried to increase water level by letting in water from the outlet near Tata zoo,” he said. Khan revealed that they had procured 40kg of toximar – it neutralises toxic binder for aquatic bodies -that is to be sprayed in the lake when temperatures rise. The club has constituted a night committee that will swing into action whenever temperatures cross 40°C and there is possibility of rain in the evening. The club general secretary said toximar would help maintain oxygen balance. They had already pumped 22 quintals of lime and potassium permanganate, he said. Jusco’s horticulture department has started operating four lake fountains regularly to increase oxygen saturation in water. “Our staff are regularly cleaning the lake. We will take steps to prevent oily pollutants,” said Jusco spokesperson Rajesh Rajan.