Local fish on verge of extinction in South Kamrup
From a Correspondent
Boko, May 5: Despite the imposition of ban on fishing of local fish in the State from April 1 to July 15 in accordance to the Assam Fishing Rules 1953 and Assam Fish Seed Act 2005, rampant fishing continues ubated. The population of local fish is declining gradually due to fishing during this period.
South Kamrup region of India is the transitiol area between the River Brahmaputra, Assam-Meghalaya border, Rani to Kulsi River and Goalpara district. This area is under one of the 34 hotspots declared worldwide with biodiversity of flora and fau, including ormental and eel fish which includes electrical eel or dal, Turi, Botia, Vami, Gachi, and Kusia.
Survey conducted over the past seven years by a local NGO has shown that this wild fish population is dwindling gradually. The most important cause of this biodiversity loss is rapid destruction of habitats of various species of wild fish by introducing brick kilns, developing the fish habitats to commercial land, ever increasing human greed and increased dependence on wild fish by the fishing community, using pesticides and all of the above, ramping fishing during the breeding time - April 1 to July 15 every year.
Allegedly little attention has been paid by the Assam Government or the Department of Fishery for conservation of wild fish. The growing need of community participation in conservation of wild fish/local fish is yet to addressed among the fishing community, consumers and police also. Conservation awareness camps should be organized in different stages during the breeding period every year to motivate the younger generation and also at fishing sites and fish markets. It can be done collectively through formation of Task Force.
As per the local people of Payranga and Vehuwa villages, this year also from April 14 onwards, villagers caught many wild fish in the area, including Borali and other local species which will decrease the population density of fish.
