Ganjam: Hundreds of farmers Saturday picketed the sub-collector’s office demanding immediate removal of illegal prawn enclosures (gheries) in Chilika, the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia.
The agitators, in a written memorandum submitted to Chhatrapur sub-collector, brought to the attention of authorities how thousands of acres had been illegally encroached upon by prawn mafias in Chilika Lake.
Their unlawful prawn cultivation is affecting the livelihood of poor fishermen in the area, the agitators stated in their memorandum.
Despite repeated attempts by the district administration to raze vast stretches of gheries, many anti-social elements continue with the illegal practice due to lack of strict laws and regulations.
Hundreds of poor fishermen depend on Chilika for a living. The illegal gheries have badly hit their meagre earnings. The fishermen alleged that there was more to it than meets the eye in mushrooming gheries.
“They have not come up overnight,” the fishermen said and claimed that those involved in illegal prawn cultivation are investing their profits in the cash-rich illegal fish farming.
The gheries are spread over a vast area from Ghodamaranasi to Chelikuda. The mafias have set up extensive networks of bamboo poles with fishing nets that are causing problems for the farmers to catch fish. Moreover, their illegal activities are spoiling the enchanting beauty of the lagoon.
The illegal businesses are also posing a serious threat to the ecology as toxic chemicals are used to rear the fish. The fishing nets are also blocking the smooth flow of water in the lake, the protesters stated.
The fishermen said they face threats and warnings when they oppose the mafia activities. Many anti-socials attack them with sharp-edged weapons and threaten their families when they go out fishing, the agitators added in their complaint.
“This is forcing us to take up different professions for a living,” they added.
The anti-socials vandalise their boats and fishing nets of farmers to refrain them from fishing in the lake. The fishermen called on the administration to take immediate steps against illegal gheries and protect the poor farmers from uncouth mafias.
The farmers warned the authorities that they would be forced to stage a mass demonstration before the district collectorate if no steps are taken in this regard. A copy of the complaint was also forwarded to Ganjam SP, it is learnt. PNN
