Alleged killing of Mahashir fish creates controversy in Champawat
Alleged killing of Mahashir fish creates controversy in Champawat
B.D.Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, Nov 15
Champawat SP, Ajay Ganpati has said that action under appropriate sections of Wildlife Protection Act and Animal Cruelty Act could be taken against the angler, who killed a Mahashir fish using his angling permit on November 9 this year.
“We have received the file and video of the incident only yesterday andwe are investigating the case and FIR could be filed after investigation,” said the SP.
Aakash Joshi, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Chamnpawat after receiving a complaint from Mahila Mangal Dal spokesman of Kaligunth Purnagiri regarding killing of a Mahashir fish at angling site of Boom range forest of Champawat division, has ordered the police to register a case against one Asif Raja Khan of Jaipur, who allegedly killed the fish on October 9 and made a video of the incident.”This is double cruelty against the state fish and a protected species,” said Kunwar Singh Bagadwal, District Fisheries Officer of Champawat.
According to Bagadwal, the angling of protected cold water fish of Mahashir is permitted in Kali river from Pancher to Boom beats every year. “During the angling fest, the anglers are required to catch the fish weight and measure it and release them into water,” said the District Fisheries Officer.
“The Yuvak Mangal Dals and Mahila Mangal Dals adjoining the villages of angling beats, are empowered to issue angling permits to anglers who gather at River from across the country every year,” said the fisheries officer.
“We have initially banned the said angler for angling in Champawat district and suspended the rights of said Mahila Mangal Dal to issue permits,” said fisheries officer.
Ashutosh Singh, Divisional Forest Officer of Champawat said that forest department cannot take any action against the culprit as the fish is not listed in wild life conservation act.” It is up to the police to find suitable sections to book the culprit,” said the DFO.
“The golden Mahashir is state fish of Uttarakhand, J& K , Himachal Pradesh and also of MP where it is found in Narmada water streams and carries a hump on its back,” said the fisheries officer.
