The deputy commissioner of police of West Guwahati Police district has issued prohibitory orders in and around Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary, a Ramsar Site, banning community fishing in the wetland till January 31, the order said. DCP Padmanabh Baruah said the prohibitory orders have been issued to stop large gathering of people in and around the wetland so that no law-and-order situation or stampede occurs in the area due to overcrowding.
“During this season from December to January, people in large numbers visit the wetland for picnic and sightseeing. Also, people gather near the wetlands for fishing. So, to avoid any untoward incident in the wetland, the order has been issued,” said Baruah.
The order said it appeared to the Guwahati divisional forest officer that “some people from villages around and adjoining Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary such as Keotpara, Mikipara, Paspara, Azara, Teteliya in tandem with people from the fringes of Guwahati are likely to venture out to organise community fishing on 7th Jan/2024 and even after that also”. The order reads that such venture is illegal under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 as it causes irreparable and irretrievable damage to the eco-system of the sanctuary.
Hence, the west Guwahati police district prohibited the assembly of more than five people in and around the sanctuary for community fishing. However, photos and videos shared on social media by many users revealed that on January 7, people in large numbers engaged in community fishing at the wetland. A source in the forest department, unwilling to reveal his identity, told TOI, “Community fishing by local villagers on January 7 took place in an area which is not within Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary.