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Somasila reservoir becomes storage point for red sanders logs
About 1,000 ‘fishermen’ here relentlessly hunt for red sanders logs that are stored at the bottom of the Somasila reservoir and not for the fish. Both men and women, whose official profession is fishing as per government records, have been residing in the area for the last 30 years and carrying out this activity. The logs are cut by some members of these communities in the forests along Penna river and thrown in the river.
Nellore: About 1,000 ‘fishermen’ here relentlessly hunt for red sanders logs that are stored at the bottom of the Somasila reservoir and not for the fish. Both men and women, whose official profession is fishing as per government records, have been residing in the area for the last 30 years and carrying out this activity. The logs are cut by some members of these communities in the forests along Penna river and thrown in the river.
- Nearly 1,000 people take part in the activity in the guise of fisherfolk
- Somasila reservoir becomes storage point for red sanders logs
Then they would get deposited at the bottom of Somasila reservoir which would be collected by these ‘fisherfolk’. These rich fishermen were from Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Vellore and Salem districts of Tamil Nadu and East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Interestingly, the fisheries department initially issued identity cards to them and subsequently they managed to get Aadhaar and ration cards thus divulging nexus between local political leaders and the organised red sanders smugglers.
Officials from Police, Revenue, Forest and Fisheries departments conducted joint inspections in territorial divisions of forest department such as Proddatur, Rajampet and Nellore and collected data of these people recently which revealed astonishing facts about their origin and the related ‘professional’ activities.
The tri-junction area of Kadapa, Chittoor and Nellore districts, close to Somasila project dam, is where these professional fishermen reside. After collecting the logs from the deep waters of the huge reservoir, they transport them to other parts of the country. Thus the huge reservoir system has turned out to be a “storage yard” for these fishermen.
Senior officials from the departments concerned began collecting the details of these people who operate close to Atlur, Gopavaram, Ragaluru, Potthapi, Vaddimitta villages where red sanders from the surrounding areas would be dumped here since reservoir mouth is located in Nellore district.
“We have focused on these activities after getting a tip-off and started off combined operations. Smuggling is being carried out in the guise of fishermen. We have increased vigil at night to curb these activities. A ction has also been taken against some person, who were hand-in-glove with these people in Police and Forest departments,” said S Srikanthanatha Reddy, DFO, Territorial wing, Nellore.
By:P V Prasad
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