Despite a ban on fishing in Rawal Dam, fishing in the dam still continues through fishing rods, strings, hooks, and nets.
Currently, it is the breading season of fish, therefore fishing poses threat to their existence in the dam.
According to reports, illegal fishing is carried out by hunters to meet their commercial objectives.
The makeshift fish stalls set up at adjoining roads of the lake clearly indicate that fishing is being carried out to earn bread and butter by many, other than fun, alleged a visitor at the dam, Aamir.
According to reports, locals have expressed their concerns said that police and Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) officials are minting money from the people in the name of fishing license.
“Money received in the name of licenses was not submitted in the national exchequer while the authorities concerned are playing the role of silent spectators,” said a local, Riyaz.
“I’ve seen lots of ropes and nets floating in the water,” said Khalid Sharif, who visits the lake on weekends. He said he had brought the matter into the notice of CDA officials but they said that the dam falls out of their jurisdiction and hat WASA is the concerned authority, I also informed WASA officials, but in vain, he added.
The locals have appealed to the higher officials of CDA, WASA, Fisheries Department and Small Dams Organisations to take notice of the prevailing situation and control the irregularities.
