Rawal Lake: Lack of funds hampers efforts to control illegal fishing

Admin’s fisheries dept has only one boat for patrolling


APP November 24, 2015
The fish hatchery will be rehabilitated and a new one built as well. PHOTO: EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD: The fisheries department of the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration is facing problems in controlling illegal fishing at Rawal Lake due to lack of staff and equipment.     

The department’s deputy director (DD) said despite severe limitations, they have been doing their best to control illegal hunting.

He said the department was regularly conducting raids and during the past one month about 200 nets were confiscated. Sharing the problems, he said that one out of two boats available for patrolling staff had gone out of order, and that there was no police check post near the lake.

He also said due to lack of staff, patrolling was being done in only two shifts rather than three.

As per the fisheries ordinance, the staff was authorised to have weapons for their protection but due to lack of funds they were not being provided with arms and ammunition. Similarly, in the past, patrolling staff was provided uniforms, but financial constraints have made that difficult now too, he shared.

Regarding future plans, the official said his department plans to rehabilitate the fish hatchery and build another one on the upper side of the lake. The department would seek necessary funds to overcome staff and equipment shortage in the next fiscal year, he assured.

He clarified that fish from Rawal Lake was not being sold in the market.

On the contrary, anglers claim that illegal fish hunting at the lake through nets is still common rpactice.

Several visitors said people who come for fun and recreation have to pay Rs200 for a one-day licence fee, adding that they can hardly catch any fish because of illegal fishers.

Afaq Hussain, a frequent visitor, said the fishermen’s equipment is confiscated only when a complaint is lodged and that it is later returned as a moneymaking measure. He said a number of fish-stall owners at adjoining roads of the lake claim to sell their fish hunted from the Rawal Lake, which clearly indicates that the activity is in fact being carried out.

Another visitor, Adil Malik, criticised the fisheries officials for what he called an unjustified raise in fish hunt permits.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th,  2015.

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