Boko, June 18: Assam’s Fisheries Department has launched a fresh crackdown on the illegal cultivation of Thai catfish, seizing and destroying nearly seven quintals of the banned species in Boko on Thursday.
The operation was carried out at Poyranga under Boko and led by Fisheries Officer Mondip Saikia of the Chhaygaon Development Block. Officials buried the seized fish in pits with salt as part of the disposal process, signalling the start of a wider district-level drive against the cultivation and sale of Thai catfish in Kamrup.
Authorities say the species poses a serious threat to Assam’s aquatic biodiversity. Known for its aggressive and invasive nature, Thai catfish can outcompete native fish species for food and habitat, disrupting local ecosystems and affecting natural breeding cycles.
The concern is particularly significant in Assam, where indigenous species such as Borali, Puthi and Khalihna form an important part of the state’s aquatic heritage and rural economy.
Officials warned that legal action will be taken against individuals found cultivating or selling the banned fish. The Fisheries Department has intensified surveillance and enforcement measures across the district as part of efforts to protect native fish populations and restore ecological balance in local water bodies.
The crackdown is rooted in a nationwide ban on Thai catfish farming imposed by the National Green Tribunal in 2000 over environmental and health concerns. Despite the prohibition, illegal cultivation has continued in pockets of Assam and other parts of the country.
Experts have long cautioned that invasive fish species can cause irreversible ecological damage by reducing biodiversity and threatening native aquatic life. Fisheries officials also pointed to concerns over unhygienic farming practices associated with illegal cultivation.
With Thursday’s operation, the Assam government has sent a clear message that enforcement of the ban will be stepped up, as authorities move to safeguard the state’s rivers, wetlands and indigenous fish species from the growing threat of invasive aquaculture.
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