Illicit poaching of fish is rampant in Beas in Mandi district. The menace has become so deep-rooted that offenders are using dynamite, fishing nets, powder and electric shock to kill the fish without any fear of law. Environmentalists are concerned about the preservation of aquatic life in water streams in Mandi district as well as across the state. They say that the malpractice of killing fish illegally is posing a serious threat to the aquatic life in several parts of state, particularly in Mandi, which will directly impact the ecology of the area. The reason cited is poor checking by the Fishery Department to curb this practice. It is maintained that the department lacks adequate field staff to ensure strict vigil. As a result, offenders were killing fish indiscriminately without any fear. Narender Saini, chairman of Devbhumi Paryavaran Rakshak Manch, told The Tribune that “the illegal killing of fish in a cruel and barbaric way is rampant in the stretch of Beas river between Pandoh Dam and Bari village in Mandi district. The perpetrators were using dynamite, fishing nets, powder and electric shocks to kill the fish. The whole aquatic life around the catchment areas of Beas will be destroyed if necessary action is not taken in time to curb the illicit practice.”
“Those involved are some Nepali labourers employed by the ppmmm contractors. They have easy access to the blasting material and dynamite. Others are migrant labourers mostly from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar,” Saini alleged. He said that “to save aquatic life, we urge the state government to fill the vacant posts of field staff in the Fishery Department on priority.” Satpal Mehta, Director of Fishery Department, HP, said, “due to shortage of field staff, the department is facing difficulty in keeping a check on offenders. However, the officials of the Fishery Department conduct surprise raids at suspected places to check this nefarious practice.” He said that around 50 per cent of the posts of field staff were vacant in the Fishery Department. As soon as these vacant posts are filled, the department would intensify the vigil to save the aquatic life in water streams.
The Tribune Trust, 2021