Arunachal Pradesh: East Siang Deputy Commissioner warns of illegal fishing

ITANAGAR: East Siang district authorities on Wednesday issued a strict order prohibiting illegal fishing methods other than the traditional means within its jurisdiction.

An order issued by Dr Kinny Singh, Deputy Commissioner said, “The district administration marked some people either in groups or individuals, are engaging themselves in fishing using explosives, generators, chemicals, fishing utilizing electrocution etc within the jurisdiction of East Siang district.”

Reportedly such illegal means of fishing is taking place rampantly in the areas like Jampani, Pillumukh, 21 mile, areas in and around Pasighat Reserve forests and vicinity of D. Ering Wildlife Sanctuary.

“In the larger interest of public it is felt necessary and expedient to take preventive measures to prohibit such illegal hunting and fishing activities by some people before it can cause irreparable damage to the environment,” noted the DC.

As per sources, fishing by using dynamite blast and inverter were rampant in the parts of Siang river in and around areas like 21 Mile (near Shamshan Ghat) and Pillumukh side under Pasighat RF, including the Jampani areas.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mebo Sub-Division, Ainstein Koyu, has also appealed the possessors of chainsaw machines to surrender their chainsaws to forest authorities within 14 days, failure of which the authorities warned them of legal action under Arunachal Pradesh Chainsaw (Control & Regulation) Rules, 2019.

Reportedly, the use of Chainsaw machines is responsible for rampant felling and cutting of trees.

(Edited by Gabriel G Momin)