The Chhattisgarh government has decided to enforce a fishing ban from June 16, 2025, to August 15, 2025, to protect fish during their breeding phase. This prohibition covers all rivers, ponds, and reservoirs within the state, preventing any fishing, killing, or sale of fish during the specified timeframe.
The primary reason for this ban is to allow fish to reproduce undisturbed during the monsoon season, when they spawn. The Chhattisgarh Fisheries Act of 1972 forms the legal basis for this decision, aiming to ensure a safe environment for fish reproduction. This is anticipated to boost fish populations and support local farmers.
Exceptions to the ban apply to water bodies that are not connected to rivers or streams. Furthermore, the ban does not affect farmers engaged in cage culture.
Violators of the fishing ban will face penalties, which can include one year of imprisonment, a fine of ₹10,000, or both.
The state has also banned the farming, selling, purchasing, or importing of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), due to their negative impact on local aquatic ecosystems. Both the Indian government and the state government have classified these as prohibited species. Violations of this ban may result in a year’s imprisonment, a ₹10,000 fine, or both, irrespective of the water body’s ownership.