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India.com
30-06-2025
- Health
- India.com
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.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Don't eat Thai Mangur fish this monsoon: It's banned and may cause cancer
In coastal and riverine regions where fish is a dietary staple, often served with rice, selecting safe and sustainable fish is very important. However, while most fish varieties are safe and nutritious, one specific type, Thai Mangur Fish (also known as Thai Catfish) has raised serious health and environmental alarms. Despite a government ban in place since 2000, this fish is still being illegally farmed and sold in many regions of India, putting public health at serious risk. The farming and sale of this fish are banned due to significant health risks and environmental damage, having caused a 70% decline in native fish populations and severely impacting India's aquatic ecosystem. About the Thai Mangur fish Thai Mangur is a hybrid variety of catfish, originally bred for its fast growth and adaptability. It is a foreign species imported from outside India. As a carnivorous species, it endangers other fish in India, severely affecting aquatic habitats. While it gained popularity due to its rapid growth and ease of cultivation, Thai Mangur quickly became a public health and ecological concern. So much so that its farming, sale, and consumption are now legally banned in India. Why is Thai Mangur fish banned in India? According to News 18, the Government of India and various regulatory bodies have prohibited Thai Mangur because of its harmful health effects and environmental hazards. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned its cultivation as early as 2000, citing the fish's carnivorous nature and potential to disrupt aquatic ecosystems. A leading voice in fisheries health and safety, the cultivation, sale, and consumption of Thai Mangur fish are not only illegal but also extremely risky to human health. Violators of this ban may face strict legal action under national laws. Thai Mangur fish causes cancer Dr Priyanka Arya, Assistant Director of the Aligarh Fisheries Department, warns that consuming Thai Mangur fish may increase the risk of cancer. The fish is often reared under unsanitary conditions and fed on rotten meat mixed with spinach, a practice that contributes to serious water pollution and poses a direct threat to consumers. The fish has been linked to carcinogenic effects, making it one of the most harmful fish banned in India. A 70% decline in native fish species Beyond personal health, the Thai Mangur fish has caused significant damage to India's water ecosystems. Research shows that this invasive species is responsible for a 70 percent decline in native fish species in India. Due to its aggressive, carnivorous feeding habits, the Thai Mangur preys on smaller native fish, disrupting the ecological balance in rivers, lakes, and ponds. Additionally, Thai Mangur often carries parasites such as fish lice, which lead to epizootic outbreaks, sudden outbreaks of disease in aquaculture environments that can wipe out entire fish populations. Illegal farming practices and water pollution One of the many reasons why Thai Mangur is dangerous is due to its unsustainable and unhygienic farming practices. Some fish farmers feed these fish with rotting meat waste, often laced with leftover vegetables like spinach, to maximise profit. This not only contaminates the fish but also pollutes the surrounding water bodies, accelerating the destruction of aquatic ecosystems. Strict ban and penalties on the import of Thai Mangur fish by the government The ban on Thai Mangur is not just advisory; it is strictly enforced. The government has made it clear that anyone involved in the cultivation, distribution, or consumption of Thai Mangur will be subject to legal penalties. Public agencies, including the Fisheries Department, have been instructed to conduct raids and take appropriate legal action against violators. The Fisheries Department has launched multiple awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of eating Thai Mangur, specifically highlighting its carcinogenic properties and harmful rearing practices. Also read | Is icing your face safe and effective? Know its benefits, risks, and application tips
