To protect the endangered ‘mahaseer’ fish, Uttarakhand set to rope in fishermen - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

To protect the endangered ‘mahaseer’ fish, Uttarakhand set to rope in fishermen

Hindustan Times | By
Dec 01, 2017 09:08 PM IST

The greatest threat faced by the fish species is indiscriminate use of dynamites, electricity and poison, which adversely affects the marine ecosystem

In an initiative to conserve the near threatened Mahaseer fish in Kosi and Ramganga river of Ramnagar, the forest department will enrol fishermen to ensure the safety of the species. Titled ‘Mahaseer Watch’, the project aims at roping in locals for conservation of the fish.

The greatest threat faced by the species is indiscriminate use of dynamites, electricity and poison, which adversely affects the marine ecosystem.(HT FILE)
The greatest threat faced by the species is indiscriminate use of dynamites, electricity and poison, which adversely affects the marine ecosystem.(HT FILE)

The greatest threat faced by the species is indiscriminate use of dynamites, electricity and poison, which adversely affects the marine ecosystem. In 2013, two people died while trying to electrocute the fish in Ramnagar.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“We are working on a proposal to safeguard the species,” said Neha Verma, divisional forest officer (DFO) Ramnagar.

In July, five people were booked under The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, for catching a 125 kg catfish in Almora.

Anup Sah, former member of State Wildlife Board said that over 100 rivers and tributaries are under the same threat. The depletion of fish population is starting to wreak havoc on the biotic system, whose effects are visible up the food chain. Angling was once an integral pastime inside the Corbett Tiger Reserve, but owing to irregularities, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) stopped the services in 2013. The indiscriminate hunting, thereafter, continues outside the reserve.

In the last board meeting in September 2016, the then chief minister Harish Rawat constituted a team to conduct a study on the species. The purpose was to create a baseline data, on the basis of which the situation could be analysed to achieve a healthy fish population and also to mitigate threats.

No action has been taken against the several cases of locals killing fish that were reported. “We have been trying to exhort people on the financial gain involved if they give up on fish hunting, but the result hasn’t been a positive one,” said head of forest force, Rajinder Kumar Mahajan.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Nihi Sharma is a Principal Correspondent based in Dehradun. She has been working with Hindustan Times since 2008. Her focus areas are wildlife and environment. Besides, she also covers politics, health and education.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On