Odisha to make new law for protection of fishermen interest in Chilika

In a bid to protect the rights of traditional fishermen communities living in and around Chilika lake, Odisha government today decided to bring a proper legislation in this regard.
A proposal in this regard submitted by the Forest and Environment department was approved at the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here.
"The cabinet today decided to introduce Odisha Regulation of Fishing and Fisheries in Chilika Act, 2017 in the next session of the Assembly," chief secretary A P Padhi told reporters.
Stating that a legislation is necessary for regulating the fishery activities in a responsible and sustainable manner, Padhi said this will address the rights of the traditional fishermen earning their livelihood depending on Chilika.

In regard to the provisions of the proposed law, Padhi said the act prohibits certain activities in Chilika which are detrimental to the long term interest of the stakeholders like fishing in eco-sensitive areas including outer channel, use of zero net, mantle nets and net box having mesh size less than 10 mm.
It also include capture of some important species of fishes, prawn and crab below a particular size and mullet fishing during breeding seasons and aquaculture including pen, cage and gherries culture, he said.

The proposed act also empowers the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) to discharge the functions like grant of sub-lease within the leasable area of Chilika and to impose/take action in the appropriate manner for contravention of the proposed legislation, Padhi said.

Replying to a question, Padhi said the proposed legislative measures and the mandate of the act being very specific and neither covered under any other act not does this act infringe upon the provision of any other acts and rules.
Forest and Environment secretary S C Mohapatra said the act has provision up to 7-years imprisonment for violation of the proposed act.
The Cabinet today approved a total of 19 proposals including one policy for maintenance of the rural roads.