GUWAHATI, Jan 8: Environmental activist Rohit Choudhury has urged Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav to prohibit community fishing in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) during the Magh Bihu festival. In a letter also addressed to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Choudhury highlighted the ecological and legal implications of the practice.

Kaziranga, renowned for its conservation of the greater one-horned rhino and aquatic biodiversity, features 92 perennial and 200 seasonal water bodies that form critical breeding habitats for 42 fish species and attract migratory birds. These factors have earned it recognition as an Important Bird Area (IBA) and a vital waterfowl flyway.

“Fishing is one of the most destructive interferences, undermining habitat improvement efforts and disrupting the park’s ecological balance,” Choudhury wrote. He noted that during Magh Bihu, large groups from fringe villages and distant areas engaged in community fishing under the pretext of tradition, particularly in regions like Patahi, Burapahar, Deosur, and Haldibari. These gatherings often lead to law-and-order problems, including roadblocks on National Highway 37 and violations of legal restrictions.

Despite enforcement measures such as Section 144 of the CrPC and police deployment, the practice persists, violating the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Choudhury emphasized the ecological consequences, including disruptions to nesting and migratory patterns of birds, reductions in fish populations crucial to species like otters, and potential disease transmission between humans and wildlife.

He also raised concerns about poachers exploiting the situation to infiltrate the park, facilitated by the large, unverified influx of individuals.

Choudhury criticized Assam Police for their lack of action during Magh Bihu, despite their success in reducing rhino poaching and managing flood-related traffic. He called for the same level of commitment to curb illegal fishing and protect Kaziranga’s ecological integrity.

“Assam Police have demonstrated commendable efforts in protecting Kaziranga’s rhino population and managing traffic during floods. However, their passivity in preventing illegal fishing during Magh Bihu undermines this commitment,” Choudhury said.

He urged immediate intervention to preserve the sanctity of KNPTR and ensure the long-term conservation of its wildlife and habitats.

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