Community fishing banned in Kaziranga Park ahead of Magh Bihu,

Guwahati, Jan 12: Ahead of Magh Bihu, harvest festival in Assam, the Golaghat district administration has issued an order prohibiting illegal entry and community fishing in beels (natural wetlands) and rivers in Kaziranga National Park.

District magistrate has promulgated the prohibitory order under Section 144 of CrPC in and around the Kaziranga National Park, stating that “illegal entry into the national park disturbs the sanctity of the park and may lead to a possible law and order situation.”

The prohibitory order has been issued after perusal of a letter received from the divisional forest officer, Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, Bokakhat in regard to the possible breach of peace, tranquility in and around the national park besides violation of the provisions under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 that the activity might cause during the festival.  

 
“'From the last few years, people in large numbers from different parts of the state/district enter Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve for community fishing in beels, rivers and wetlands under the pretext of tradition in Magh Bihu,” the Golaghat district magistrate stated in the order.
“Illegal entry into the park and destruction of wildlife is a cognizable and non-bailable offence under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972,”  stated in the order.

“The congregation of a huge number of people during the community fishing may lead to traffic congestion on the National Highway-715,” he added.

However, police, security personnel, forest officials, forest personnel and forest guards and other government servants on duty have been exempted from the purview of the prohibitory order.