Chhatrapur: Ganjam Collector Premchandra Choudhury Tuesday asked officials to demolish the prawn gherries near Palur canal after serving notices on the persons involved in the illegal farming.
The Collector laid emphasis on proper coordination between the tehsildars and Chilika Development Authority (CDA) in this regard.
Earlier, local fishermen had lodged complaints and urged the administration to demolish the gherries mushrooming along Palur canal.
A meeting presided over by the Collector was held Tuesday at the collectorate over the matter.
Attending the meeting, deputy director (fisheries) Shiv Prasad Bhoi said the part of Chilika lagoon, the largest brackish water lake in Asia, that comes under Ganjam district jurisdiction has been freed of illegal prawn gherries.
On the other hand, some people have started illegal prawn farming near Palur canal. The prawn seedlings move into Chilika after passing through Palur canal. However, the mafia collects the seedlings midway and puts up illegal gherries along the canal to make huge profit. Some influential locals are involved in the trade, it was alleged in the meeting.
CDA chief executive Sasmita Lenka, additional district magistrate Kabindra Kumar Sahoo, Khallikote tehsildar Saroj Kumar Behera and Ganjam tehsildar Abani Kumar Sahoo were present at the meeting.
