Pynursla, Meghalaya – Police in Pynursla, under the directive of the Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) of Pynursla Civil Sub-Division, dismantled illegal fish traps in the Umsong River this week. The operation targeted traps set up to prevent fish from swimming freely, forcing them into enclosures near Nongryngkoh village, which borders the Mawkynrew constituency. The traps violated both the Indian Fisheries Act of 1897 and the United Khasi Jaintia District Fisheries Act of 1954.
The enforcement action followed complaints from locals regarding these harmful practices. The police and SDO acted swiftly to remove the obstructions, which had been set up to control fish movement and facilitate illegal fishing.
Further support for the operation came from the Green Tech Foundation, a local environmental organization that applauded the authorities’ commitment to protecting river biodiversity. The Foundation also issued a warning against the use of any unlawful methods that harm fish and other aquatic life.
Additionally, under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, district and sub-divisional authorities have the power to act against illegal hunting and fishing practices that threaten local wildlife.
