Hoskote Catfish Raid: 20 Ponds Destroyed, Vasanthi Amar Orders FIRs
Bengaluru Rural: Officials destroyed 20 ponds used for what the district administration described as illegal farming of prohibited catfish during an operation in Hoskote taluk led by Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr Vasanthi Amar.
Amar directed the police to register FIRs against those involved in the farming activity.
Acting on information about catfish farming at several locations, teams conducted raids at four places in Sulibele hobli with personnel from the zilla panchayat, taluk panchayat, revenue, gram panchayat, fisheries and police departments.
Ponds demolished using earthmovers
The operation covered sites within the Sulibele and Giddappanahalli gram panchayat limits, where officials said prohibited catfish were being raised for sale to other states. JCB machines were used to destroy 20 ponds.
The release also reports joint action at several locations in Nandagudi hobli, where ponds had allegedly been constructed illegally for catfish farming. Officials said they continued the demolition despite threats and attempts by farmers to obstruct the action.
Airport authorities had raised bird concerns
According to the release, airport authorities had complained about increased bird activity posing a concern for flight operations in the area. The administration also cited environmental harm associated with the farming activity.
Amar said those involved had resumed the activity after earlier enforcement visits and that a firm approach was needed to stop its recurrence. The ponds were completely destroyed along with the fish, she said, adding that officials had not yielded to threats.
Tahsildar Sheetal, executive officer Muniyappa, police and fisheries officers, gram panchayat and zilla panchayat staff, and villagers were present during the operation.
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