People demands fishing permission in Kaziranga

Golaghat (Assam): A large number of local people gathered at Kaziranga National Park on Friday and demanded permission to fish in natural water bodies as community fishing is an integral part of the upcoming ‘Magh Bihu’ festival, officials said.

However, the crowd dispersed peacefully after a few hours as the authorities maintained the fishing ban.
Golaghat District Magistrate P Uday Praveen on Tuesday issued prohibitory orders in the park under Section 144 of the CrPC, which states, “…unauthorized illegal activities in banks, rivers and wetlands in Kaziranga National Park under Golaghat district.” Legal entry and community fishing are banned with immediate effect.”

More than 100 people from neighboring areas gathered on NH 715 passing through the park since 5 am and demanded that they be allowed to fish as Kaziranga bulls were invited to catch fish in the ‘Magh Bihu Aruka’ feast, officials said. It has been a tradition.
“We have orders that prohibit fishing and gathering of people. We asked people to leave. They finally dispersed on their own after a few hours,” officials said.

They have expressed concern that local people may try to gather again on Saturday, with the Yuruka feast scheduled for Saturday night, and have urged the public to abide by the orders.

Apart from forest officials, police and paramilitary forces were deployed in the area to ensure law and order situation.
The 430 square kilometer Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is world-renowned for its one-horned rhinoceros. It is also home to tigers, elephants, deer, wild boars and many species of birds.

Praveen, in his order, said that illegal entry into the park and destruction of wildlife are triable and non-bailable offenses under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Also, the gathering of a large number of people during community fishing can lead to traffic congestion on National Highway 715.

Magh Bihu, also known as Bhogali Bihu, is a festival that marks the end of the harvest season.

Along with the whole grain, people are delighted, the feast lasts for about a week, starting with Uruka, which is celebrated the day before Sankranti.