River Git flowing through Kalimpong is now protected

YOWAN MOTHAY, EOI, KALIMPONG, APRIL 10, 2023 : River Git flowing through Kalimpong Blocks I, II and Gorubathan has now become a protected area. 

Anyone who fishes in any unnatural manner within the protected area, exploits the river and disturbs the natural structure of the river will be prosecuted. Git Khola is famous for fishlike Asla, Katle, Buduna and Dhami. 

According to Suk Tshering Lepcha, resident of Shankhe, who is an executive member of Gitkhola Save Campaign for a long time, if someone is found to have killed fish in the river in any unnatural manner like using poisonous substances and electrical equipment will face legal action. 

According to him, monitoring will also be done on unnecessary deforestation in the area. The area has been earmarked to be developed as an eco-tourism spot in the coming days. In the recent past, after fish and other aquatic animals were being killed by using explosives and electrical currents, some conscious youths of the area had taken up conservation by making policies at the local level.

Ram Bhujel, a local resident, says the fish are endangered because they use poison in the river while fishing, use nets. Electrocution kills the fish babies. The stretch from Gitkolbung of Lava, Gitdabling gram panchayat, to Majong of Gitdabling, through Rambhi to Pokhrebung of Gorubathan and Ghis Khola Maidan has been placed in a “protection zone’ by the Conservation Council of Kalimpong.