In modern times people are busy with their jobs, professions, domestic chores, schooling, business etc. The precious life of a person gets exhausted around these sources of livelihood. People have become slaves of these sources in one way or the other. Human beings are bestowed with the sense of wit to distinguish between right and wrong. This makes them accountable than other animals. People have no time to check the grievances of innocent creatures that are being exploited at a large scale. The reason is that they have become over burdened and they are concerned with their sustenance not with these little beautiful fishes which unveil the greatness of Almighty. The innocent fishes are tantalizing for justice. No one is there to redress their grievances because they cannot speak, and raise their voice for justice as human beings. Fishes are being killed mercilessly at a large scale by unfettered use of bleaching powder which acts as a poison when added in large quantity in the water. Despite the sense of wit some irresponsible persons feel pleasure in vanishing these beautiful creatures of God by the use of bleaching powder, which not only causes the death of grown up fishes but also new born fishes and their eggs. Time is not far away when the streams will be fish-less. Man has become ruthless to these innocent creatures.
The fisheries department is acting as silent spectator and waiting to see this species perish. It is really a sorry state of affairs. The negligence of the department is talking a toll on the fishes in Kashmir. Not only the fisheries department but the PHE Department is also responsible for the mass death of fishes. Some irresponsible employees sell the poison (bleaching powder) in large quantity to these culprits who in turn leave no stone unturned to cause the death of fishes. It pains me to notice the dead fishes flowing with their white belly upwards in a stream running from Mamath through Budgam to the river Jhelum. It is the right time to curb these unlawful activities to protect these innocent creatures. The persons involved in these heinous acts must be brought to book under the clutches of law.
Section 7 of the Jammu and Kashmir fisheries act 1960, provides punishment to those persons who add poison (bleaching powder) or any other noxious material in water. The punished is imprisonment up to one month simple or rigorous imprisonment or fine. Any person convicted more than once for the same offence can be punished with imprisonment which may extend up to six months or fine up to five hundred rupees. Under Section 11 of the act, these offences are tribal by the Judicial Magistrate of the concerned area. The complaint can be made also to the Assistant Director of fisheries Department of the concerned district. Moreover, any person who gives bona fide information of this offence to the concerned Judicial Magistrate shall be entitled to the reward at the discretion of Magistrate under Section 12 of the said Act 1960. The existence of this statute in the books can make no difference unless it is implemented. There are many penal laws for such atrocities but because of non implementation they have become rusty. It is the obligation of every person, social reformer, NGOs, students to get these laws executed by approaching the concerned authorities, whenever they notice such criminal acts. The concerned authorities should also aware people and welcome the complainants. They should conduct seminars and debates in all the villages and districts to make the people aware about the importance of fishes

Lastupdate on : Tue, 11 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 11 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 12 May 2010 00:00:00 IST