Banned? : Fishermen continue using nets in Korang River

ISLAMABAD:

Fishing using nets and explosives continues in the Korang River despite a ban on these fishing aids, as the local administration has been lax about enforcing the ban.

People fishing by the river near Bani Gala can often be seen using such equipment.

“There are a lot of fish in the river,” said fisherman Istiqah Khan as he cast a net in the water. When asked why he was breaking the ban on using nets, he said “everything is allowed here”.

Muhammad Usman, another local fisherman, said that a large number of people from Bhara Kahu, Malpur, Phulgran and other localities also come here to fish.

“I have never seen any official here to check the violations you speak of,” he said.

An official of the city administration said that only the use of fishing rods was legal in the area, underscoring that nets and especially explosives were banned.

Islamabad Capital Territory Agriculture Director Lubna Ghayas claimed that many violators were booked in the past, but local politicians would bail them out.

She said that there was dire need to stop political interference in administrative matters so that violators could be punished.

The official claimed that an inquiry into missing city administration equipment was still ongoing and the responsible parties will be brought to book.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23^rd, 2015.