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MAHSEER
CONSERVATION:
Although Uttaranchal
has some of the finest rivers, over the years illegal
fishing, overpopulation, construction, dams and use
of pesticides have led to severe depletion of fish in
terms of species, size and numbers. This is neither
good for the riverine ecosystems nor for a potentially
great tourism industry, sport-fishing.
The main problem is
poaching by illegal and destructive means - dynamites,
net and poison. Bombing is rampant in several areas
and increases in summers when the water level drops.
Our attempt is to transform Uttaranchal into the finest
angling destination in the country through proper resource
management and providing employment to locals. By giving
them a stake in fishing, we hope to give returns to
the people living by the river so that they become its
custodians.
Van
Ghat Mahseer Camp
Jim Corbett, renowned conservationist and the slayer
of man-eaters was also a keen angler. The vivid description
of his fishing interludes in the Ramganga valley finds
mention in his tale 'The fish of my dreams'. Inspired
by the need to protect this pristine habitat, we a cquired
land on the Ramganga at the edge of the forests that
hem in Corbett National Park . Van Ghat lies in total
seclusion and has immediate access to a well-stocked
river.
We maintain a 3km
stretch of the river with large sanctuary pools, where
we feed fish and don't allow fishing. We have on our
own initiative commenced patrolling against poaching
and communicated to locals the need to preserve fish
for the future. With their cooperation, w e have been
able to control bombing in our stretch of the river. Thanks
to the effective patrolling of local boys Van Ghat
has become an excellent Mahseer beat. Lantana, an introduced
weed detrimental to native undergrowth had degraded
the area. We have de-weeded a huge patch so that once
grass is back it will be a boon to herbivores including
elephants, who often visit this area.
Catering to no more
than two rods at any given time, Van Ghat Mahseer Camp
is meant to serve as a model for sport-fishing in Uttaranchal.
In the last few months we have hosted a limited number
of keen and responsible anglers who have rated this
as one of the finest beats for the Golden Mahseer, Goonch
and Indian Trout. The numbers have increased considerably
and so have the sizes - proof that nature restores itself,
if left undisturbed. We have excellent camping facilities,
state-of-the-art fishing gear and good gillies to guide
you to identified beats.
Fishing
Guide Training Program
Ramganga Mahseer Sanrakshan or RMS is a slogan patch
the Mahseer guards at Van Ghat wear. We get everybody
from children, women and men as volunteers from nearby
villages like Marchula, Sankar, Jamria and Baluli. All
activities go under the banner of RMS and apart from
an outlined task-list for the year ahead, we are doing
the following sub-projects.
We help locals maintain
their own beats (stretches of 1 km) in the immediate
vicinity of each village. As successfully demonstrated
in Bhakrakot, we spread awareness among schools through
games, quizzes and prize distribution. We have initiated
eco-tourism activities in local riverine communities
by helping them provide services to sport anglers (hot
lunch, guide, etc) to supplement incomes.
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