The move is aimed at providing an uninterrupted ecosystem to the winged guests for six months every year.
The move is aimed at providing an uninterrupted ecosystem to the winged guests for six months every year.
The Odisha government has proposed to ban the movement of fishing boats in the Mangalajodi area on the banks of Chilika Lake – an Important Bird Area (IBA) – to provide an undisturbed ecosystem to the winged guests for six months every year. For.
The Orissa High Court, concurring with the motion, directed that the agreed decisions regarding the ban on mechanized fishing boats in the Mangalajodi area shall be strictly enforced till further orders.
The issue was deliberated upon at a high-level meeting convened in response to an order of the Orissa High Court, which said, “The Department of Fisheries and the Department of Wildlife in consultation with each other will work out concrete measures to regulate activity in the area and limit the use of motorboats preferably to one main channel.”
Mangalajodi is considered globally important for the conservation of the bird population. This area is used by migratory birds for settling and making nests. However, it is not protected by any statutory rules and regulations. The area is 8.3 sq km of marshy land with emerging vegetation.
According to the proceedings of the meeting submitted to the High Court, “The fishermen may be allowed to use all the main channels leading to Mangalajodi, Sunderpur, Bhusundpur and Kalupadaghat. From October to March, all the sub-channels will have access to mechanized boats.” There should be restrictions on movement.
“All main channels need to be geo-referenced for village-wise permits to ply their boats. All the sub-channels need to be geo-referenced to prevent motor boat movement,” experts said at the meeting.
“The Department of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development shall be requested to inquire into the matter under section 4(1) of the provisions of the Orissa Marine Fisheries Regulation Act, 1982, which states that the Government shall prohibit the use of such fishing gear. may restrict or restrict the license for which is being given in any specified area as may be prescribed,” the meeting resolved.
If restrictions are imposed by the Government, the District Administration, Khordha will be requested to provide assistance to enforce the restriction in the movement of motorized boats in the sub-channels.
A division bench of Chief Justice S Muralidhar and Justice RK Patnaik will hear the matter on April 6.