Schoolchildren, elderly people and Indian Air Force aircraft worth crores of rupees are at risk, all due to illegal breeding of banned African catfish at Rajack Palya, Budensaab Palya and Mastansab Palya in Jala hobli, alleges a PIL which came up for hearing before the high court on Tuesday. Even the Bengaluru International Airport is under threat as vultures and eagles fly around in large numbers to feed on the animal wastes stored near the ponds kept for breeding catfis.
The division bench of Justices K. Sreedhar Rao and B. Manohar ordered notices to the state government, fisheries department, BIA, Indian Air Force, KPTCL, those breeding fish illegally and others. The petitioners, D.M. Moulla and15 others, all local residents, stated that though the central government banned rearing of African catfish in 2000, and subsequently the state fisheries department directed that ponds rearing such fish should be destroyed, no action has been taken against the perpetrators.
“The Yelahanka Air Force base had conducted a survey and submitted a report as per the directions of IAF. It had also filed several complaints with the local police against illegal rearing of fish. They have reportedly stated that at least 10 transport aircraft operating from the base have been damaged due to bird hits,” the petitioners stated. It is alleged that despite several complaints by the residents, there has been no action by the police and they were compelled to approach the high court for justice. The special deputy commissioner on May 30, 2012 passed orders directing all officers concerned to destroy ponds where catfish are being bred.
“These illegal fish breeding centres are getting these banned breeds of fish from smugglers and anti-social elements from the neighbouring Bangladesh. They have colluded with KPTCL employees and are drawing power illegally,” the PIL states. The number of stray dogs too has increased in the area as they come to feed on animal waste, the PIL alleged. A 3-year-old child was killed by these stray dogs last year. They have been posing danger to the elders too in the area, it said.