Pune: To combat illegal fishing activities in the Ujani Dam catchment area, the Water Resources Department has launched a new operation. This includes the destruction of banned fishing nets used to capture juvenile fish. The crackdown has caused unrest among those involved in illegal fishing. The Irrigation Department team has already begun operations in Khanota (Daund) and nearby areas, destroying small-sized fishing nets.
Ujani Dam is recognized as a ‘fish sanctuary,’ but illegal and unregulated fishing practices have significantly decreased fish production, threatening the livelihoods of traditional fishermen. Since last year, fish seeding initiatives have been implemented in the dam, along with strict government policies to curb illegal fishing. Despite these efforts, illegal fishing of juvenile fish continued. In response, the Water Resources Department has intensified its efforts to destroy equipment used for illegal fishing.
To protect the fish species released into the dam, the use of any fishing nets, including small-mesh nets, was prohibited. Last year, strict enforcement of these regulations resulted in a notable increase in fish production. However, with the water levels in Ujani decreasing, illegal fishing resumed, particularly targeting juvenile fish, which has distressed the local fishermen. The community has demanded an immediate ban on these illegal practices, and in response, the Water Resources Department has destroyed equipment involved in illegal fishing.
The fish seeding efforts and stringent regulations against illegal fishing introduced last year had a positive impact. There has been a noticeable increase in the populations of naturally breeding species such as Shivda, Sumber, Kolis, Gugli, Shingta, and Kanasa, as well as commercially important species like Katla, Rohu, and Mrigal.
In order to restore the fishery resources of the dam, the District Collector formed a committee consisting of Tehsildars from Indapur, Karmala, Karjat, and Madha talukas, along with police and pollution control board officials. However, locals have criticized the committee for its lack of action. They have called for more aggressive enforcement and the filing of criminal cases against those involved in illegal fishing activities.
