In a bid to keep Chilika Lake free from illegal encroachment, the state government has planned to introduce new principles for regulating lease of fishery sources in the lake.The government has also proposed to undertake a field survey of the lake and demarcate fishery areas by differential global positioning system (DGPS) to prevent further encroachment.In the recent eviction drive, around 150 square km area of the total encroached area of 180 square km in the lake have been cleared. Chilika Lake is spread across in over 1000 square km area.”The eviction drive has improved the quality of ecosystem of the lake, increased fish production by 20% and prawn catch has increased by 500% in the last six months compared to previous years. It has also reduced siltation and increased grass meadows. After 1985, sponges sighted in the lake for the first time,” said Susanta Nanda, chief executive officer of Chilika Development Authority CDA ).The government has also planned to give priority to primary fishermen cooperative societies (PFCS) during lease of Chilika Sairats (fishing areas inside the lake). The sairats where law and order problem is anticipated will not be leased out to any of the PFCS.
2018 NYOOOZ