Illegal fishing continues ubated in Laokhowa

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

GAON November 3: Illegal felling of valuable trees and poaching of wild animals are not new in Laokhowa wildlife sanctuary. In the latest development, it is seen in the sanctuary that illegal fishing is going on in the beels inside the forest area of Laokhowa where miscreants collect thousand kg fish per day. This is going on with the alleged cooperation of the forest officials.

It is alleged that fish traders openly go to the beels where fishing is normally restricted. The beels mely  Roumari, Muamari, Khalihamari and Chitlmari are big sources of local and rare species of fishes but uncontrolled fishing so far has already endangered the fish diversity in these beels. Though these beels are not officially given on lease but unofficially some forest officers develop secret understanding with some forest mafia and allow fishing in those beels. Transaction of Rs 2 lakh-Rs 10 lakh allegedly takes place per month in these beels.

Illegal fishing and marketing is continuing in the nearby areas like Juria, Sutirpar, Garhajan, Khatowal and Rupahi. There is lot of police stations, outposts and forest camps in these areas but practically no action is being taken against this illegal fishing.