Ever since the skies over Kottayam have turned overcast this monsoon, an army of environmentalists supported by the Fisheries and the Police departments have enclosed the interminable network of rivulets connecting the Meenachil river to protect the breeding habitats of local fish varieties. PoachingAccording to S. Jayasree, Deputy Director of Fisheries, Kottayam, the drive followed several complaints against this poaching activity. Action was being initiated under the provisions of the Inland Fisheries Act with the support of the local police concerned. “Preliminary investigations suggested that they used to catch up to1,000 kg of egg-bearing fish everyday since the onset of the monsoon. Assisted by the local police, we deployed heavy machines to cut down those poles amidst strong local opposition,” the official said.

Source: The Hindu June 30, 2019 17:37 UTC