A patrolling team from the Fisheries Department, Pakyong District, under the directive of Assistant Director, Mrs Gouri Mukhia, carried out a patrol along the Rongli River to Reshi beat today.
The patrol aimed to enforce the Sikkim Fisheries Act, 1980; Sikkim Fisheries Rules, 1990; and Sikkim Fisheries Rules, 2022, by preventing illegal fishing, quarrying, and activities harmful to the riverine ecosystem.
The patrolling was conducted in response to public complaints regarding violations of the Sikkim Fisheries Rules, 2022, which strictly prohibit destructive fishing methods and activities that harm aquatic life.
According to the Sikkim Fisheries Rules, 1990, Sikkim Fisheries Rules, 2022:
Destruction or attempt to destroy fish by gun, spear, bow and arrow or like instruments, setting of nooses laid across streams or bars splashing in water, shall be prohibited.
Destruction or attempt to destroy fish by using dynamite or explosive substances, poison, lime, noxious materials and electricity in the water through the use of generators, UPS, etc., shall be prohibited.
Pollution of water by trade, industrial or domestic effluents; dumping of muck/construction and demolition materials; or any other method not defined in the schedule which may result in the loss of aquatic life or its habitat, either immediately or in the long run, shall be prohibited.
Construction of weirs and bunds and diversion of natural waters which may result in loss of aquatic life or its habitat either immediately or in the long run shall be prohibited.
Misuse of river water for any commercial purpose, which may result in the loss of aquatic life or its habitat either immediately or in the long run, shall be prohibited.
In accordance with the Sikkim Fisheries Act, 1980, the team took action against the violations observed during the patrolling.
The patrolling team comprised Fisheries Guards, Assistant Fisheries Guards and Feedmill Helpers from the Fisheries Department, Pakyong District.
