DEPARTMENTAL NOTIFICATION AND ORDERS:

No.: 31016/1/96-FY (3)                                                                       Phone: 3382011

Telegram: AGRINDIA “A”                                                                                3388911
                                                                                              Telex: 31-65054 AGRI IN

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & CO-OPERATION
KHISHI BHAWAN, DR.RAJENDRA PRASAD ROAD, NEW DELHI-110001
                                                                                                           DATED: 19.12.1997.

To

            The Secretary (Fisheries),

            Government of_____________

Sub: -    UNAUTHORISED INTRODUCTION OF EXOTIC MAGUR AND
            BIG HEAD – CONTROLLING MEASURES – REG.

Sir,

            I am to invite your kind attention on the subject cited above and to say that the First Meeting of the National Committee to oversee and Regulate Introduction of Exotic Aquatic Species in Indian Waters was held under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary (Fisheries) at Khrishi Bhawan, New Delhi on 9.10.97. The Committee discussed the issue of “Unauthorised Introduction of Exotic Magur and Big Head” as one of the Agendas Items and recommended as follows:

                     “The Ministry of Agriculture should write to all the States/Uts to take immediate steps to destroy the existing stock of exotic Magur and big head which have been introduced into the country without official sanctions. All hatcheries may be identified and destroyed by the concerned States. It was stressed that exotic Magur (Clarius gariepinus) should not establish in the natural environment and cross with the endemic species Clarius batrachus. A strict controlling measures should also be adopted to avoid spread of exotic diseases (s) from Clarius gariepinus to the endemic fishes.”

2.     It is requested that necessary action may be taken immediately on the above said recommendations made by the Committee under intimation to this Ministry.

                                                                                                 Yours Faithfully,

                                                                                                            Sd/-
                                                                                                ( Y.S. Yadava )
                                                                             Fisheries Development Commissioner

16