Centre has asked West Bengal govt to implement strict measures against unauthorised prawn farming in sensitive coastal ecosystems, following Odisha’s successful crackdown on illegal farming practices in Chilika lake.
Union minister for fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, told Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that West Bengal must ensure compliance with the Coastal Regulatory Zone notification 2019 and the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005, along with its 2023 amendment.
Responding to a question by RS member Dola Sen about surge in prawn farming along the eastern coast, Singh revealed that prawn production in the Sundarbans increased from 71,740 tonnes in 2022-23 to 75,762 tonnes in 2023-24.
In contrast, Odisha has taken decisive action against illegal prawn farming. Working with the Odisha Space Applications Centre, the state has developed a comprehensive coastal aquaculture information system and mobile application to verify suitable land for prawn culture, excluding forest areas and eco-sensitive zones.
Following orders from the Orissa high court, authorities demolished 4,321 illegal prawn farms covering 15,737.85 hectares around Chilika and Bhitarkanika sanctuary.
Bengal govt has assured that it is monitoring the ecological impact of prawn cultivation in the Sundarbans. The state has initiated several measures, including regular awareness programs for fishermen, implementation of the ‘Abhoy Pukur’ scheme to protect native ecological habitats and creation of 11,193 hectares of mangrove forest over the past two years.
The minister noted a steady increase in shrimp cultivation along east coast, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, Bengal, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. However, such activities remain prohibited in ecologically sensitive zones under various environmental protection laws.