The Department of Fisheries, Himachal Pradesh, has announced a two-month ban on fishing in the state's waters from June 16 to August 15 to support fish breeding and conservation, Director and Chief Fisheries Officer Pawan Kumar said on Tuesday.
The Fisheries Department imposes a complete ban on fishing in general waters for two months every year as during this period most of the important species of fish reproduce naturally due to which fish seeds are automatically collected in these waters, Kumar added.
Around 13,000 fishermen in Himachal Pradesh rely on fishing for their livelihood across the state’s reservoirs, rivers, streams, and their tributaries. Of these, over 6,300 fishermen are engaged in fishing in the five reservoirs—Gobind Sagar, Pong, Chamera, Koldam, and Ranjit Sagar—which collectively span an area of approximately 43,785 hectares.
Kumar stated that it is the responsibility of the state Fisheries Department to make sure that all fishermen families continue to get fish and people get protein-rich animal food in the form of fish.
To enforce the ban, the department has deployed special conservation teams, setting up 20 camps and one flying squad in Bilaspur (including 17 in Gobind Sagar and 3 in Kol Dam), 17 camps and one flying squad in Pong Dam, and five camps (three in Chamera and two in Ranjit Sagar) along with one flying squad in Chamba. These teams will conduct water and road patrols to prevent illegal fishing.
Kumar stressed that any kind of fishing or sale of fish during the prohibited period is strictly banned. He urged citizens to refrain from illegal activities, warning that violations could attract a fine of up to ₹5,000 or imprisonment of up to three years—or both. Hunting with nets during the prohibited period comes under the category of non-bailable offence, he added.
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