FOR THE SEASONAL GUESTS

'No fishing' order to please the winged guests

COOCH BEHAR, Dec. 19: In an aim not to disturb the migratory birds by catching fishes a prohibitory order have been promulgated in the jurisdiction of Cooch Behar Forest Division. Following this order no one will be allowed to catch fish at the waterbodies of Rasik-bil, Rasamati-jhil, Sagardighi, Dhakeswari-bil, Patikata-bil and Raichengmari. As fish is the main food of the guest birds it should be available in plenty at the waterbodies, a forest official said.

 

A large number of migratory birds of different species come to Rasik-bil, Rasamati-jhil and Sagardighi at the beginning of every winter. After breeding they used to get back to their own places at the end of the winter. During their staying period they used to take shelter on the big trees near the waterbodies. Most of the daytime they swim in the water. Visitors throng in a large number to see them.

 

A senior official of Cooch Behar Social Forestry Division said they promulgated the prohibitory order on fishing in some of the selected waterbodies. It was done to help the winged guests to get their foods adequately. Vigilance in those areas also has been beefed up to ensure no one cannot violate the order, he said.

 

Mentionworthy, Rasamati-jhil is a waterbody of about 9-hecter and Rasik-bil about 178-hecter. Many visitors alleged that fishing was going on clandestinely in those areas violating the order. On the otherhand, the officials of the forest division claimed that strict vigil was going on to check illegal fishing. A country boat and a few fishing nets were seized from those areas, they said. Meanwhile, environmentalists demanded strict steps against the persons found involved in illegal fishing in the selected waterbodies. []

 

PHOTO : A flock of Lesser Whistling Tills at Sagardighi in Cooch Behar on Friday.

 

'Crow flu'

COOCH BEHAR, Dec. 19: Local residents turned panicky of bird flu after spotting six dead crows at Battoala area of Baneswar in Cooch Behar this morning. On being informed animal resource development personnel appeared there. They collected samples from the dead crows to send those for laboratory test to ascertain whether the crows died of bird flu or not. []

 

Mathabhanga

COOCH BEHAR, Dec. 19: Clash occurred at Pachagarh in Mathabhanga, Cooch Behar on Thursday night when some people without tickets allegedly tried to enter forcefully into a variety programme that was organised with cinema artistes from Mumbai and Kolkata. Police had to intervene to restore peace. Seven persons were injured during the melee. Six men were arrested in connection with the incident. []

 

Roadblock

COOCH BEHAR, Dec. 19: Trinamul Yuva Congress supporters staged a roadblock at Dodearpar in Cooch Behar-II block today demanding adequate and immediate compensation to the people whose lands were acquisitioned for the proposed New Mainaguri-Jogighopa railway project. They also demanded employment to at least one member from each of the affected families. Vehicular traffic was disrupted during the roadblock programme. []