GUWAHATI : As Magh Bihu knocks the door, section 144 has been imposed in and around Kaziranga in order to restrict community fishing during the occasion, by the Golaghat district administration.
The Kaziranga National Park authorities in collaboration with the Subdivisional administration have thoughtfully imposed the prohibition in Burhapahar and Bagori range in Koliabor.
The restrictions has come up on the basis of the way locals come in gatherings and initiate fishing in animal habitat and harm the biodiversity of the park. People mostly prefer and gather at the wetlands along with nearby beels in the area.
The District Magistrate has ordered that a gathering cannot be of more than five people at a time. Conducting processions in and around the prohibited area is restricted for the next 60 days. During this phase, firecrackers should not be bursted and if done so, it will be considered a punishable offence.
Loud music bands are also restricted during processions. Social gatherings must be done with valid permission from the concerned authorities. No hunger strike or protest will be entertained. The imposition of section 144 has been directed to come into effect immediately.
The prime reason behind this step by the administration is to avoid fishing during Uruka where simultaneous violation of Forest Act has been registered. People are advised to keep fishing equipments including nets and other machineries away from the prohibited areas.
Nevertheless, the notification also mentioned the exclusion of forest officials, security personnels, police, guards, and other government personnels from the scope of restrictions put forward by the concerned authority of the subdivision.
The state administration is continuously trying to bring a balance between man and animal. Recently, to cut down the issue of human-elephant conflict, government has directed several elephant corridors in the deepor beel region.
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