Coimbatore : Taking no notice whatsoever of the ban order that was imposed on commercial fishing in the Singanallur Lake, the contractor who had taken the lake on lease continues to violate norms by fishing despite the ban here.
Coimbatore : Taking no notice whatsoever of the ban order that was imposed on commercial fishing in the Singanallur Lake, the contractor who had taken the lake on lease continues to violate norms by fishing despite the ban here.
The much popularized first of its kind ban that was officially announced at the lake on December 30th by S.P. Velumani, Minister of Urban Development and Rural Administration, has been completely ignored by the contractor and officials too have turned a blind eye.
The fisherman had not taken any heed of the notice and has been continuing even immediately after the ban was imposed. He continues to fish in the lake and sell the caught fish at the entrance of the lake unperturbed.
Despite the state authorities introducing different varieties of native fishes in the lake to boost the biodiversity of the lake under Project Coimbatore Fresh Water Fish Conservation, local fisherman had introduced fishing of fast growing invasive fishing breeds that could have eaten up the native breeds.
While the fisherman has been violating a State order for nearly two months, he has also not renewed the contract, that was offered by the department of Fisheries
It is learnt through sources that the contract for fishing in the lake had expired on the 31st of December and it had been unanimously decided by the District Administration, officials from Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) and activists to not renew the contract to improve the biodiversity of the lake.
Activists have claimed that lack of regulation from the authorities has allowed the fisherman to act according to his will violating the law.
“The Lake is under the control of CCMC, the contract is offered by the District Administration and the role of Fisheries Department is entirely different. When the system is so confusing, violations go unchecked”, claimed an activist who urged the State to regulate inland fishing.
When contacted, Kowsalya, Additional Director of Department of Fisheries, Coimbatore said that it was not the role of the department to check for violations as the lake was under the control of CCMC.
“We will inspect the area of the lake and fix an amount for the contractor to pay. It is not our job to check if norms are being violated,” she said.
Officials in CCMC could not be contacted.
Barbaric methods used in Vellalore tank for fishing
Fishermen who had taken contract in the Vellalore tank had been reportedly using barbaric ways to chase fish eating birds in the lake.
They are using methods like splashing the water surface and beating the coracle with heavy materials to chase the birds.
In addition, they are also seen using catapults to hit birds including Spot-billed Pelicans they are seen in large numbers at the lake.
With the lake hosting the largest population of birds and hosting highest number of species among all the lakes in Coimbatore, activists have written to the Chief Minister special cell to take action against miscreants who are involved in the heinous act.
The much popularized first of its kind ban that was officially announced at the lake on December 30th by S.P. Velumani, Minister of Urban Development and Rural Administration, has been completely ignored by the contractor and officials too have turned a blind eye.
The fisherman had not taken any heed of the notice and has been continuing even immediately after the ban was imposed. He continues to fish in the lake and sell the caught fish at the entrance of the lake unperturbed.
Despite the state authorities introducing different varieties of native fishes in the lake to boost the biodiversity of the lake under Project Coimbatore Fresh Water Fish Conservation, local fisherman had introduced fishing of fast growing invasive fishing breeds that could have eaten up the native breeds.
While the fisherman has been violating a State order for nearly two months, he has also not renewed the contract, that was offered by the department of Fisheries
It is learnt through sources that the contract for fishing in the lake had expired on the 31st of December and it had been unanimously decided by the District Administration, officials from Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) and activists to not renew the contract to improve the biodiversity of the lake.
Activists have claimed that lack of regulation from the authorities has allowed the fisherman to act according to his will violating the law.
“The Lake is under the control of CCMC, the contract is offered by the District Administration and the role of Fisheries Department is entirely different. When the system is so confusing, violations go unchecked”, claimed an activist who urged the State to regulate inland fishing.
When contacted, Kowsalya, Additional Director of Department of Fisheries, Coimbatore said that it was not the role of the department to check for violations as the lake was under the control of CCMC.
“We will inspect the area of the lake and fix an amount for the contractor to pay. It is not our job to check if norms are being violated,” she said.
Officials in CCMC could not be contacted.
Barbaric methods used in Vellalore tank for fishing
Fishermen who had taken contract in the Vellalore tank had been reportedly using barbaric ways to chase fish eating birds in the lake.
They are using methods like splashing the water surface and beating the coracle with heavy materials to chase the birds.
In addition, they are also seen using catapults to hit birds including Spot-billed Pelicans they are seen in large numbers at the lake.
With the lake hosting the largest population of birds and hosting highest number of species among all the lakes in Coimbatore, activists have written to the Chief Minister special cell to take action against miscreants who are involved in the heinous act.