Illegal fishing continues unabated in Bandipora Streams

Suhail Rather

Bandipora, May 31: Illegal fishing in the freshwater streams of Bandipora is going unabated amid lockdown with the authorities watching helplessly the damage being caused to valued trout breed- freshwater fish. 

According to reports, the fish are being caught illegally in Arin and Authwatto Nallah at various locations by the miscreants especially at tourist resorts including Authwatto, Surinder and Sheerasar with some persons allegedly using hazardous chemicals to kill the fish that are easily available in the market.

The experts opine that use of chemicals for killing fish caused extensive damage to the ecology and habitat of the trout fish in Arin and Authwattoo streams as the Department of Fisheries is acting as a mute spectator. The situation forces locals to conclude that the damage to the fish production is being done in active connivance with the officials.

The miscreants use different means to catch the fishes in Nallah Arin at different locations. “Fishing nets, bleaching powder and different types of hooks are being used to catch the fishes" a local resident living near the stream said.

Experts say that bleaching powder becomes very effective at this point of time when the water flow is slow and the water level is low. They said that bleaching powder causes de-oxygenation in water and kills a large quantity of fish in the area where it is used.

Locals alleged that the fisheries department which is supposed to monitor the streams are in deep slumber or silently overseeing the wrongdoings or they are deliberately acting as mute spectators having ulterior motives.

Locals alleged that the miscreants who throw chemicals in the nallah to catch trout and other fish manage to get bleaching powder from other departments. "The powder is available in plenty at the Jal Shakti department which uses it for chlorination of water but we fail to understand how it reaches these miscreants" an official of fisheries department told.

Last month unknown miscreants allegedly put some poisonous substance into a private fish farm resulting in the death of a huge number of fish causing huge financial losses to the owner.

Assistant Director Fisheries Muneer Ahmad said the department would investigate the matter. He said the Directorate office is issuing permission for fishing in Bandipora Nallah's and said they have not issued any permission for any fishing activity in Bandipora for the last two months. He acknowledged that the directorate office issued only three permissions for fishing activities in Bandipora recently.

Locals appealed to the district administration Bandipora and the Director of the Fisheries Department to take this matter seriously and take measures to stop the illegal practice.