Nagpur: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the state, minister of animal husbandry, diary development and fisheries, Sunil Kedar, has proposed to give motorboats to fisheries cooperative societies across the state for patrolling against illegal fishing.
Kedar on Sunday inaugurated the state’s first patrolling motorboat at Futala lake. He even boarded the boat and made rounds of the lake.
“Patrolling is needed because illegal fishing causes loss to fisheries cooperative societies who are awarded contracts by the government and local bodies for lakes and reservoirs,” said the minister.
The societies are financially weak and cannot afford motor boats. The government will purchase the boats costing around Rs4 lakh each and gift them to societies.
Corporator Kamlesh Chaudhary, activist Naru Jichkar, president of Panchsheel Matsyavyavsay Sahkari Sanstha which has the contract for Futala lake, Prakash Lonare, president of Zilla Mazdoor Sangh, Swapnil Likhar and others were present.
Chaudhary told TOI, “It is a good project planned by Kedar to boost fisheries industry as well as societies. The societies across the state are running into losses and illegal fishing has aggravated the problem. It is not possible for fishermen to make regular rounds of the lakes and reservoirs for patrolling with their hand operated boats. Societies cannot afford motorboats,” he said.
The department under Kedar has procured four motorboats in the first phase and likely to bring more in the coming days.