A viral video showing tourists from Rajasthan mistreating the endangered Mahseer fish under the pretense of angling permits has stirred the Fisheries Department and local administration into action. The incident, captured on video during Uttarakhand’s State Foundation Day, shows tourists mishandling and killing the Mahseer fish, instead of releasing it back into the water as required. The Women’s Mangal Dal, authorized to issue angling permits in the Kali River’s Chuka region, reported the incident to the Forest Department. However, due to refusal from the Boom Range, the report was forwarded to the Fishery Department.
The Chuka region is known for angling tourism, attracting visitors from around the world to the Kali River. The Fisheries Department has given Mahila Mangal Dal Kaaligunth Purnagiri the license to issue permits in specific angling zones. This viral video, depicting the tourists’ inappropriate treatment of the Mahseer, has now led the administration to temporarily revoke angling permits. District Fishery Officer Kunwar Singh Bagdwal confirmed receiving a report from the Mahila Mangal Dal representatives Pooja and Ishwari Devi, who provided evidence of the tourists’ behavior.
The primary accused, identified as Asif Raza Khan from Jaipur, obtained an angling permit on November 9. However, the video showed him and his associates treating the fish inappropriately, violating angling regulations. District authorities, including SDM Akosh Joshi, have acknowledged the incident and are examining the footage.
Angling Permit Suspension and Restrictions
Following the video’s circulation, the district administration suspended the issuance of new angling permits in the region. Kunwar Singh, the District Fisheries Officer, stated that the Women’s Mangal Dal was informed of this suspension, prohibiting any permits until further notice. Additionally, Asif Raza Khan has been permanently barred from angling in Champawat district.
Mahseer: An Endangered Species
The Mahseer, classified as endangered in the IUCN Red List since 2018, is a vital species found in the Himalayan Kali River. Anglers from across the world visit Pancheshwar in Uttarakhand, where the fish is typically caught and then safely released back into the river to maintain its population. The Kali River region, stretching from Pancheshwar to Chuka, has become an international tourist hub, contributing to Uttarakhand’s ecological tourism.
