Forest dept to join hands with ICG, other agencies to check dolphin, whale poaching

Modhwadia raised the issue in the wake of a recent development when the forest department, in a joint operation with ICG, nabbed 10 fishermen with 22 carcasses of dolphins off the coast of Porbandar on March 15. The forest and ICG officials also recovered carcasses of four bull sharks from the fishermen. All of them were arrested under the provisions of Wildlife Protection Act and are currently in judicial custody. Out of the 10 arrested fishermen, five are from Tamil Nadu, two each from Assam and Kerala and one from Odisha.
Modhwadia sought to know the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the government to protect the marine animals.

“Since the forest department does not have enough resources related to patrolling in marine areas, it is necessary to do regular patrolling in coordination with government’s other units like ICG, Marine police and Indian Customs to get tip-offs,” stated Bera in his written reply.

The concept of doing marine patrolling in such a way is under consideration of the forest department in which a proposed structure has also been prepared as per which formation of a task force has been envisaged for sharing of tip-offs, he said, adding, the idea of increasing the reach among the fishermen community to get maximum tip-off is also under the consideration of the department.

Bera also informed that the government has also proposed to bring some conditions related to Dolphin Tourism.