In an attempt to prevent illegal fishing in Totladoh dam of Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra poart, a team of Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) planned ambush at different locations enroute from Deolapar to the dam and caught Surjit Pusia Urmala (26) from Deolapar in the early hours of Tuesday.
The team seized eight nets and four bi-cycles from him. During the operation, three offenders made their good escape while forestmen are now searching for them, informed Dr Prabhu Nath Shukla, Deputy Director, Pench Tiger Reserve.
After compensating the rights of the individuals, fishing has been banned in the reservoir following court orders. However, fishermen from villages of MP come in the series of boats many times and indulge in illegal fishing. Fishermen from Maharashtra walked the distance through forest roads usually after evening, spread the nets in the dam and collect fish early morning and leave the place.
The management is purchasing new patrol boats and strengthening intelligence network by using secret fund to check the menace of illegal fishing. M N Parab, ACF, STPF, A B Bhagat, RFO, and others led the operation while P B Babhale, RFO, Deolapar, is making further investigation.
