In a meeting of the secretary of fisheries department and the secretary of forest department, it was decided to make amendments to the act and give more powers to fisheries regarding poachers. At present, only the forest department can take action against those poaching the fishes listed under Schedule I.

“Two weeks ago, it was decided to make an amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 so that fisheries department gets the power to take action against fish poachers. A proposal regarding the same has already been prepared,” said an official from the forest department. According to sources in the forest department, it has been stated in the proposal that assistant commissioner of fisheries will be given powers to book offenders. When contacted, Principal Secretary (Forest) Praveen Pardeshi was unavailable for comment.