Electro-fishing kills croc in Gandhi Sagar backwaters; 3 held

Bhopal: The death of a crocodile in the backwaters of the Gandhi Sagar Dam in Mandsaur has been traced to illegal electro-fishing, with the forest department arresting three men and warning of a growing threat to aquatic ecosystems.The case came to light on April 15 after a video surfaced on social media showing a large number of dead fish floating along the banks near the Sanjit submergence zone, along with the carcass of a crocodile.Local residents in the video mentioned fishing activity involving the use of electric current discharged into the water.Teams from the forest dept and Nahargarh police launched a joint operation, leading to the arrest of three accused — Sukanta Sarkar, Sujan Biswas and Devabrata Biswas, all natives of West Bengal. A UPS battery, electric wires and other equipment used for electro-fishing were seized from their possession. In a parallel legal response, separate cases have been registered by the two departments. The police have booked the accused for illegal fishing and theft of fish under relevant provisions of the Fisheries Act, while the Forest Department is initiating action under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 for the killing of a crocodile, a protected species.According to the Divisional Forest Officer's report, preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused had been operating in the reservoir area for nearly two months, using electric current to kill fish in bulk.The method, while ensuring large catches, indiscriminately kills aquatic life and severely damages the ecosystem. Officials believe that the crocodile was electrocuted during one such operation, making it a collateral casualty of the illegal practice.Search operations were carried out over the next two days across the vast backwater stretch. On April 16, an initial team failed to locate the carcass, leading an intensified search on April 17 across villages including Dobra, Chhayan, Antri Semli and Khedi using both boats and foot patrols.On April 18, the carcass of the crocodile was finally recovered during a focused boat-based search along the reservoir's banks. Wildlife Veterinary Officer Dr Akash Valmiki reached the site to conduct a post-mortem examination and assist in the scientific investigation into the cause of death. Officials have indicated that the arrests may be part of a larger network, with the possibility that illegally procured fish were being supplied to traders in other cities. The Forest Department has initiated further probe to determine the extent of the operation and any interstate links.