Guwahati, Jan 8: Environmental activist Rohit Choudhury has called on Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, to prohibit community fishing in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) during the Magh Bihu festival.
In a letter to Yadav, a copy of which was also sent to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Choudhury emphasized that Kaziranga is renowned for its successful conservation of the greater one-horned rhino and rich aquatic biodiversity.
The park boasts 92 perennial and 200 seasonal water bodies, constituting around 6% of its geographical area, which serve as breeding habitats for 42 recorded fish species and attract a large number of migratory birds.
“KNPTR is a vital waterfowl flyway and wintering ground, designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Many tourists visit Kaziranga to witness the congregation of migratory birds. Habitat improvement, a key goal of KNPTR management, aims to minimize biotic interference. Fishing is one of the most destructive interferences,” Choudhury wrote in his letter.
“During Magh Bihu, people from fringe villages and far-off places enter the park in large groups for community fishing under the guise of tradition, particularly in areas such as Patahi, Burapahar, Deosur, Deopani Bandardubi, Haldibari, Tinisuti, and Moridifalu River,” Choudhury said and noted that these gatherings often escalate into law-and-order issues, with crowds blocking National Highway 37 and disregarding legal restrictions.
He said despite the imposition of Section 144 of the CrPC by the Nagaon and Golaghat administrations and the deployment of police and magistrates, the practice persists. Choudhury highlighted that such activities violate Sections 27, 29, 32, and 35 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Choudhury said that human presence disrupts nesting and migratory patterns, leading to potential nesting failures. Such disturbances can deter birds from revisiting Kaziranga in the future. It also reduces fish populations, affecting otters and other aquatic species dependent on fish for survival.
He also said shared water sources can facilitate the transmission of diseases like tuberculosis between humans and wildlife, posing a significant health risk.
He argued that the mass entry of individuals, often without identity verification, increases the likelihood of poachers exploiting the situation to sneak into the park.
Choudhury criticized Assam Police for their inaction during Magh Bihu, despite their commendable efforts in reducing rhino poaching and managing flood-related traffic on NH-37. He urged law enforcement to demonstrate the same commitment to curbing illegal fishing and protecting Kaziranga’s ecological integrity.
He concluded by requesting immediate intervention from authorities to uphold the sanctity of KNPTR and ensure the long-term conservation of its wildlife and habitats.
“Assam Police all these years have played an excellent role in bringing down the rhino poaching in KNPTR and were instrumental in commendably managing traffic on National Highway 37 during floods of 2024.
However, when it comes to preventing the public from blocking NH-37 and stopping crows from entering KNPTR, Assam Police have largely remained passive. Top officials of Assam Police are often seen on social media expressing commitment towards protecting the rhino habitat of KNPTR, but this commitment does not translate into action when it comes to stopping the illegal fishing inside the KNPTR during Magh Bihu,” he added.
