Illegal killing of fish continues in Rilang

MAWKYRWAT: The illegal killing of fish and other aquatic life continues in some parts of Rilang river from Wahsiej-Rohbah bridge downstream till Sdat Um Sala in Tongtoin area of South West Khasi Hills.
A visit to the affected area by this correspondent found that some villagers still continue to use the traditional fish trap that involves the use of a kind of a basket known as ‘phap kew’ which is illegal. The fish traps which are many in numbers were found in the downstream area.
‘Phap kew’ has been declared illegal by the administration as well as Mawthawpdah Area Rilang Fishing Association (MARFA), a conglomeration of more than 20 villages of Mawthawpdah area.
The group is involved in protecting the river from Tynsom to Sdat Um Sala which is about 7-8 km in length.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, YG Lyngdoh, adviser of MARFA, informed that the traditional fish traps like ‘Phap Kew’ and ‘Phap Hiar’ or ‘Phap Speng’ as well as use of net, poisonous chemicals and dynamites have been declared illegal since 2004-05 after the association started working hand in hand with the administration (erstwhile Mawkyrwat Civil Sub-Division) to protect fish and other aquatic life in the river, especially the indigenous fish like ‘kha-saw’ (chocolate mahseer), ‘doh main’ (catfishes), ‘sher syngkai’ (schistura), besides others.
Through the initiative of MARFA, a fish sanctuary, popularly known as ‘Ursngikyllut Fish Sanctuary’ in the Rilang river under Rohbah village was declared open on January 7, 2012, in order to protect the indigenous fish.
In this sanctuary, all kinds of fishing have been banned.