Rajesh Kumar Behera in Kendrapara, Orissa
Trawler seized and 4 fishermen arrested by forest officials for catching fish illegally inside the prohibited area of Gahirmath Marine Sanctuary
The Bhitarkanika forest officials, on Wednesday, arrested 4 fishermen and seized a mechanized fishing vessel along with a fish catch of 70 kilo from their possession while they were catching fish illegally by entering unlawfully into the prohibited zone under Gahirmatha Marine sanctuary near Agarnashi, said P.K.Behera, the DFO of Bhitarkanika National Park.
According to Behera, while the forest officials were patrolling in the sea coast at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, they found fishermen were catching fish illegally by entering into the prohibited zone of the sanctuary with a fishing trawler. Later, the forest officials intercepted the fishing trawler and arrested the fishermen.
The arrested fishermen were stated to be the resident of Kharanashi village under Mahakalapada block and they used to eke out their livelihood by fishing in the Bay of Bengal.
The arrested fishermen were booked under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and they are going to be produced before the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class Court of Pattamundai on Thursday ,informed the Ranger of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary ,Manas Ranjan Parida.
Notably, the State Forest Department has imposed ban on fishing around 20 km off the shore from 1st November to 31st May with an aim to protect the endangered marine turtles, which come en mass for laying eggs at Gahirmatha Marine sanctuary.
Notably, the forest officials on last 9th November seized a fishing vessel and arrested 8 persons on the alleged charge of fishing illegally inside the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary .
The forest officials have been able to seize two boats and arrested 12 persons since 1st November ,09 after the forest official imposed ban on fishing activities inside the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary .
According to official sources, the turtles have either been killed when they are mangled by fishing trawler propellers or suffocated in fishermen’s nets in mechanized fishing vessels during the turtle mating and nesting season.
The carcasses of at least 60 Olive Ridley turtles – that in all likelihood fell victim to fishing trawlers – have been spotted on an Orissa beach in the past 20 days, a senior state wildlife official said Wednesday.
The forest officials of Gahirmatha Marine sanctuary have spotted 70 carcasses of olive ridely sea turtle at the sandy beaches of Gahirmatha during last 25 days ,added the DFO ,Behera.
If the Gahirmatha rookery is stated to be the largest rookery it also appears to be the biggest graveyard in recent years .The beaches instead of being beacons of new life have turned into mass graveyard due to illegal fishing by the fishermen ,who come in giant trawlers for catching fish , alleged turtle conservationists.
Talking to reporters outside parliament, Minister of State for Home Ajay Maken said I-cards will be given to fishermen in 3,031 villages in the eight coastal areas in the country. He was responding to queries about the government’s preparedness following the 26/11 terror strikes in Mumbai. He also added that fishing boats will also be given I-cards as a security measure. Referring to NSG hubs, Mr. Maken said after creating them in four Metros, steps are being taken to create two more regional centres. Regarding other measures, he said, state governments have been told to create quick response teams to tackle emergency like situation, apart from modernising the police forces. (IMC)
