Cancer Risk, Mercury Poisoning, Organ Damage: This Toxic Fish Is Banned Yet Sold Openly
Fish and rice are the favourite foods of Bengalis. Fish can be categorised into different types based on their source, fat content, and fibre. For instance, freshwater fish include Rui, Katla, Koi, and Puti, while saltwater fish include Rupchanda, Laitta, Bhetki, and Hilsa. Low-fat fish examples are Magur, Taki, and Shing, whereas high-fat fish include Pangash, Chital, Bhetki, and Hilsa.
The scientific name of Thai Magur is Clarias garipinus, also referred to as hybrid Magur or giant Magur. According to the Fisheries Department, the cultivation of this hybrid Magur is banned in the state because it consumes all other fish in the pond where it resides. Yet, despite the ban, this fish is being cultivated in numerous ponds across the state.
Thai Magur can grow to lengths of 3 to 5 feet. It can survive for extended periods with its artificial respiration system and can even move on land.
Dr. Priyanka Arya, Assistant Director of the Aligarh Fisheries Department, emphasises that Thai Magur is extremely harmful and banned in India due to its serious health risks. The cultivation, sale, and consumption of this fish are prohibited. In 2000, the central government banned the cultivation of Thai Magur in India through legal means, following the National Green Tribunal's orders to prevent significant environmental pollution. Additionally, Thai Magur grows so large that it consumes 70% of other fish in the pond.
Experts have warned that consuming Thai Magur can increase the risk of cancer. This exotic fish species is not only detrimental to human health but also disrupts environmental balance.
Dr. Arya stated that the cultivation, sale, and consumption of this fish in India are strictly prohibited by law, and legal action is taken against those who violate this rule. The Fisheries Department is actively informing the public about the harmful effects of Thai Magur, particularly its cancer-causing properties.
Studies indicate that Thai Magur is responsible for approximately 70 percent of the decline in indigenous fish species in India, significantly impacting the aquatic environment. Furthermore, fishermen often feed this fish rotten meat and spinach, exacerbating water pollution.
Thai Magur grows by consuming industrial and agricultural waste mixed in the water, resulting in a body full of pollutants, including high mercury levels, which are severely harmful to humans.
In many countries, there is a tradition of eating raw fish. However, raw fish should not be consumed in our country's climate as it can cause stomach pain. In some instances, raw fish may contain harmful germs, posing health risks and potentially leading to death.
Some believe that eating raw fish gallbladders can reduce diabetes. However, the consequences can be severe. In 2023, a woman from Jharkhand consumed raw Rui fish gallbladder for three consecutive days to combat diabetes, ultimately leading to fatal kidney disease.
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Many think eating various parts of raw fish can cure diseases like diabetes, asthma, and arthritis, and improve eyesight. This notion is entirely incorrect. Consuming raw fish parts can be fatal.
Fish contains protein, and regular consumption in moderation poses no harm. However, excessive consumption of Hilsa and Pangas can cause stomach upset.
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News18
17-07-2025
- News18
Cancer Risk, Mercury Poisoning, Organ Damage: This Toxic Fish Is Banned Yet Sold Openly
Eating fish is highly beneficial for health. It serves as an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Regular consumption of fish reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and various types of cancer. However, while the advantages of eating fish are plentiful, there are also certain fish that can be harmful to the body. One such fish, which is banned in India, unknowingly increases the risk of cancer. Fish and rice are the favourite foods of Bengalis. Fish can be categorised into different types based on their source, fat content, and fibre. For instance, freshwater fish include Rui, Katla, Koi, and Puti, while saltwater fish include Rupchanda, Laitta, Bhetki, and Hilsa. Low-fat fish examples are Magur, Taki, and Shing, whereas high-fat fish include Pangash, Chital, Bhetki, and Hilsa. The scientific name of Thai Magur is Clarias garipinus, also referred to as hybrid Magur or giant Magur. According to the Fisheries Department, the cultivation of this hybrid Magur is banned in the state because it consumes all other fish in the pond where it resides. Yet, despite the ban, this fish is being cultivated in numerous ponds across the state. Thai Magur can grow to lengths of 3 to 5 feet. It can survive for extended periods with its artificial respiration system and can even move on land. Dr. Priyanka Arya, Assistant Director of the Aligarh Fisheries Department, emphasises that Thai Magur is extremely harmful and banned in India due to its serious health risks. The cultivation, sale, and consumption of this fish are prohibited. In 2000, the central government banned the cultivation of Thai Magur in India through legal means, following the National Green Tribunal's orders to prevent significant environmental pollution. Additionally, Thai Magur grows so large that it consumes 70% of other fish in the pond. Experts have warned that consuming Thai Magur can increase the risk of cancer. This exotic fish species is not only detrimental to human health but also disrupts environmental balance. Dr. Arya stated that the cultivation, sale, and consumption of this fish in India are strictly prohibited by law, and legal action is taken against those who violate this rule. The Fisheries Department is actively informing the public about the harmful effects of Thai Magur, particularly its cancer-causing properties. Studies indicate that Thai Magur is responsible for approximately 70 percent of the decline in indigenous fish species in India, significantly impacting the aquatic environment. Furthermore, fishermen often feed this fish rotten meat and spinach, exacerbating water pollution. Thai Magur grows by consuming industrial and agricultural waste mixed in the water, resulting in a body full of pollutants, including high mercury levels, which are severely harmful to humans. In many countries, there is a tradition of eating raw fish. However, raw fish should not be consumed in our country's climate as it can cause stomach pain. In some instances, raw fish may contain harmful germs, posing health risks and potentially leading to death. Some believe that eating raw fish gallbladders can reduce diabetes. However, the consequences can be severe. In 2023, a woman from Jharkhand consumed raw Rui fish gallbladder for three consecutive days to combat diabetes, ultimately leading to fatal kidney disease. 13/14 Many think eating various parts of raw fish can cure diseases like diabetes, asthma, and arthritis, and improve eyesight. This notion is entirely incorrect. Consuming raw fish parts can be fatal. Fish contains protein, and regular consumption in moderation poses no harm. However, excessive consumption of Hilsa and Pangas can cause stomach upset.
Time of India
06-07-2025
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Metrowater says it can't remove forever chemicals from lakes
Chennai: In an ongoing case before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Chennai's lakes have come under scrutiny for contamination by 'forever chemicals'— toxic compounds linked to cancer and liver damage. Metrowater said the city's current treatment infrastructure cannot remove these chemicals, scientifically known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In an affidavit, the board said that PFAS enter water bodies through everyday items — especially fast food wrappers, instant noodle cups, and baking paper — whose chemical coatings break down in landfills. The resulting leachate seeps into groundwater and lakes, contaminating urban water systems. While these substances are known for their non-stick, oil-resistant properties, their extreme chemical stability also makes them nearly impossible to break down through conventional treatment. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Metrowater said that its plants meet Indian drinking water standards under IS:10500, but added that these norms do not cover PFAS. More importantly, they said that during treatment, certain PFAS precursors may convert into detectable PFAS forms, raising levels in treated water higher than the raw input. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 새로 나온 '실비보험' 최적가 비교가입! "月 보험료 낮추고, 보장은 든든하게"... 굿리치 [등록번호:제2006038313호] 가입하기 Undo Globally, advanced economies have begun investing in high-end solutions such as plasma reactors and advanced oxidation systems to degrade PFAS, but Metrowater said such technologies are expensive and still unproven at scale. Laboratory results often don't translate to real-world success, where wastewater is filled with organic matter and other compounds that interfere with treatment. Detection itself is a hurdle. PFAS and their precursors require specialized equipment such as high-resolution mass spectrometry, which is costly and not widely available in India. Without clear regulations or national guidelines, utilities like Metrowater are operating in a scientific vacuum. Instead of downstream fixes, the board called for preventive measures — stopping PFAS at the source. That means controlling industrial and packaging uses before they enter the waste stream.
India.com
30-06-2025
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This Deadliest Fish Is Banned In India – But It's Still Ending Up On Your Plate
New Delhi: In many parts of India, especially when the rains roll in, fish markets come alive. Stalls brim with Hilsa, rohu and catla. The air smells of salt, rain and spice. Families line up to grab fresh catch for dinner. But among these familiar names, there is one fish health officials hope you never find. One that should not be there. One that is banned and dangerous. They call it Thai Mangur. On the surface, it looks like just another catfish. But this breed has earned a notorious reputation. The government has already declared it illegal to farm, sell or consume. It has been blacklisted across the country for one reason – it can make people sick. Gravely sick. Doctors and fishery officers have long warned that Thai Mangur can carry cancer risks. It is not just the fish itself. It is how it is raised. In a surprising number of situations, growers give it spoiled meat, leftover kitchen scraps and even bits of slaughtered birds. They often stir in leafy greens, such as spinach, just to mask the smell a little. What ends up in the ponds flows into the flesh. And that, experts believe, could spell disaster for human health. There is another layer to the alarm. This breed does not belong here. It was brought from abroad. And it has no interest in sharing space. Thai Mangur devours smaller fish, feasts on native species and wipes out biodiversity. The National Green Tribunal had seen enough. It pulled the plug in 2000, banning its cultivation. But the fish never quite disappeared. Across local markets, especially in towns where enforcement is weak, Thai Mangur still shows up. It is cheap. It grows fast. It brings profits. But the cost – ecological and medical – is steep. Studies suggest that this one species alone has caused a 70% collapse in India's native freshwater fish population. In some lakes, traditional fish varieties have simply vanished. The waters turn foul. The fish turn toxic. The food chain breaks. And that is not all. Thai Mangur is a carrier. It spreads parasites like argulosis, which affect other fish in the area. Entire aquaculture systems have crashed because of these outbreaks. Farmers lose their ponds. Villages lose their livelihood. Government agencies, especially fisheries departments in states like Uttar Pradesh, have started crackdowns. Awareness campaigns are ongoing. Some violators have been fined. Others have been warned. But the battle is far from over. So the next time you stop by the fishmonger, take a second look. Ask questions. Know what you are buying. Because behind one cheap fillet could hide a health hazard and an environmental tragedy still unfolding.
