BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to keep Chilika Lake free from illegal encroachment, the state government has planned to introduce new principles for regulating lease of fishery sources in the lake.The government has also proposed to undertake a field survey of the lake and demarcate fishery areas by differential global positioning system (DGPS) to prevent further encroachment.In the recent eviction drive, around 150 square km area of the total encroached area of 180 square km in the lake have been cleared. Chilika Lake is spread across in over 1000 square km area."The eviction drive has improved the quality of ecosystem of the lake, increased fish production by 20% and prawn catch has increased by 500% in the last six months compared to previous years. It has also reduced siltation and increased grass meadows. After 1985, sponges sighted in the lake for the first time," said Susanta Nanda, chief executive officer of Chilika Development Authority CDA ).The government has also planned to give priority to primary fishermen cooperative societies (PFCS) during lease of Chilika Sairats (fishing areas inside the lake). The sairats where law and order problem is anticipated will not be leased out to any of the PFCS. Sub-leasing process may be discontinued, and the leasing power may be vested with the concerned Tahasildars who can directly lease the Sairats to the eligible PFCS as per recommendation of the committee and handover the physical possession. The leasing period may be increased for at least five years term instead of the present annual lease term basis for better maintenance of the Sairats.The present practice of 10% annual increase in lease value may be considered for suspension which has become a big financial burden on many of the PFCS. Only traditional fishing methods and gears should be allowed for operation of the leased out traditional capture fishery sources. Zero nets with net mesh size below 10mm should not be allowed to capture fishes.Instead of partial payment of lease values, the lessee PFCS shall have to deposit the full lease amount with the leasing authority and execute the lease agreement in the beginning of the cooperative year.In the case of any contravention of Sairat leasing and operational guidelines by the leasee PFCS, the lease will be cancelled and can be allowed to other PFCS on merit. In no case, the leased out capture fishery Sairat will be allowed for conversion into a culture unit which is punishable under the law.An inter-departmental meeting in this regard was held under the chairmanship of chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi on Friday.

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