Post News Network
Bantala, March 29: Following the recent decision of forest officials to completely ban fishing in Mahanadi river gorge of Satkosia sanctuary, representatives of 30 villages located inside the sanctuary decided to start a mass movement against the decision in a meeting held Saturday.
In the meeting held at Jagannathpur dak bungalow inside the sanctuary, the representatives decided to not cooperate with the officials anymore and warned that the district administration will be held solely responsible for any untoward situation arising out of their resistance.
Residents of these villages, depend on fishing for livelihood. However, the ban has hit them below the belt and
deprived them of earning their livelihood, following which hundreds of fishermen families have been forced to live in hunger, the representatives said. The situation has become such that it won’t be surprising if any fisherman commits suicide in coming days because of loss of livelihood, they added.
In the meeting, the villagers expressed their anguish over the fact that despite several appeals, the administration has turned a blind eye towards their demands.
Even a recent demonstration outside the district collector’s office on the issue, in which more than 5,000 men and women participated, failed to move the administration. The villagers severely condemned the high handedness of forest officials and the uncaring attitude of the district administration during the meeting.
The representative also sorted out a plan for the movement. According to the plan, they will start with writing letters to each village committee advising them to not reconstitute the jungle committee and to not cooperate with the officials from April 1. Later the leaders will visit every village and hold gramsabhas where they will sensitise the villagers on the issue to build
a mass movement against the
administration.
