A wide network of rearing banned catfish has been operating in the district for the past few years. The fish is being reared in the backwaters of the Karanja reservoir.
Catfish prey on a variety of plant and aquatic life and were found to bring down the number of native fish in water bodies. It was because of this reason that the rearing of species has been banned. This variety of fish thrives even in small quantity of contaminated water.
Catfish is being farmed in more than 18 artificial ponds in Ativalavadi, Dakulagi and Kheniranjol villages of the district. A few people based in Telangana are said to be running the unlawful business. Poultry waste and meat from Zahirabad and Narayanakhed is being fed to these fish.
According to Nagashetty Siddaramappa Belure, the Gram Panchayat member of Dakulagi village, the catfish reared in Bidar are being transported to Hyderabad and Mumbai. The water contaminated due to fish rearing is being let into Karanja reservoir. The water from this reservoir is being supplied to Bidar, Humanabad and Bhalki.
“The officials have remained mute spectators despite having knowledge of this illegal activity. The Gram Panchayat too has been helpless,” he said.
M D Rehman, the Assistant Director of Fisheries Department said that the department was aware of catfish rearing in about 20 ponds of Karanja backwaters.
“This area belongs to Karnataka Neeravari Nigama. The matter has been brought to the notice of the deputy commissioner, the zilla panchayat and the Irrigation department,” he said.
‘No letter received’
However, B S Patil, an Assistant Engineer with the Neeravari Nigama said that they had not received any letter from the Fisheries department.
“We have written to the department and also lodged a complaint. The fish rearers run a huge racket. They are conducting their business armed with lethal weapons.
Co-operation from other departments is essential to expose the racketeers,” he said.
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