Taking serious note of large-scale community fishing within Kaziranga National Park during the Magh Bihu celebrations, the Gauhati High Court has ordered the Assam government and relevant authorities to enforce prohibitory orders against illegal fishing in the protected area. This directive arose during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) by environmental activist Rohit Choudhury, emphasizing that failure to protect Kaziranga would violate multiple laws, including the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. The court underscored the need for immediate measures to prevent ecological damage and required the authorities to report on actions taken to control illegal fishing.
The PIL highlighted that the traditional fishing practices during the Magh Bihu festival significantly threaten the park’s biodiversity and ecological integrity, threatening endangered species and the overall environment. The court recognized Kaziranga as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an Important Bird Area (IBA), necessitating strict enforcement of protection laws. Although the Forest Department acknowledged the issuance of prohibitory orders, enforcement during the festival period remains a challenge due to the influx of participants. The court has requested further details from the authorities regarding measures taken to curb these activities.