- Fisheries Deptt. mum as illicit use of bleaching powder goes unchecked
SRINAGAR: The local populace in and around Nallah Sindh in various hamlets of Ganderbal are making wide use of bleaching powder to catch fish- a practice that can turn waters of the famed river stream poisonous. According to the PTK correspondent, the fisheries department which is ought to prevent the illegal fish trade is acting as a mute spectator, subtly allowing the illicit measures to thrive with impunity.
“The bleaching power is easily available with PHE department as it used the substance for chlorination. However, some people manage to get the powder through underhand means and they use it by sprinkling it into the water that turns the fish unconscious and hence an easy catch,” Abdul Jabbar Sofi, a local told PTK.
He added that soon after the powder is used, fishermen can catch hold of the fish easily as the chemical makes the unconscious fish to float near to the shore. As per the reports, the bleaching powder is gaining popularity amongst the fishermen in Ganderbal with this chemical being put on sale widely in the district that too under government’s nose.