Catfish breeding: Tanks demolished

Catfish breeding is continuing in the city despite a High Court ban.

On May 9, the Executive Magistrate, Tahsildar of Yelahanka taluk, along with officials from the fisheries and Revenue Department and police officials demolished at least seven huge tanks where tonnes of catfishes were being bred in Kalathammanahalli village in Hesaraghatta Hobli.

The demolition drive was carried out with several earthmovers amid police presence.

Following the raid, the Soladevanahalli police booked the owners of the land covering three survey numbers along with the contractor breeding the fish and the catfish company that supplied the baby fishes.

The accused Muthurayappa and his sons Muniyappa and Narayanamurthy were booked under IPC section 273 - sale of noxious food or drink.

The district authorities have issued repeated warnings to people, especially villagers on the northern outskirts of the city, to stop illegal breeding of African catfish that has been banned by the central government.

The African catfish, an invasive species, poses a threat to native aquatic species, as its ability to survive in shallow mud for long periods of time and faster breeding makes it a strong survivor.