xlviii 



99. The Collector of Ahmednugger reported (July 8th, 1871) that 



the rivers Bheema, Seena, Godaveri, Goor, 

 Opinions of European officials p roura an d Moolla, which pass through or 

 in the Abniediiunrgur Coliec- , , ,, 3 . . . , , . x .-, , , ° 



torate. border the district, contain considerable quan- 



tities of fish, which, however, are mostly of 

 an inferior description, and have little market value. The " Dohs" or holes 

 where the fish congregate are fished by all persons without restriction. 

 No rights in the fisheries, in opposition to those of Government, are 

 known or acknowledged, and it is not likely that the right of Government 

 to sell or restrict fishing would anywhere be disputed. The Collector 

 subsequently (February 22nd, 1872) observed, that the rivers in the 

 Collectorate are dragged and fished by all persons without restriction as 

 to season, and there is no doubt that destruction of small fishes is the 

 consequence. The Acting First Assistant Collector reported as follows : — 

 " As far as my own knowledge goes, I am sure that in places where fish- 

 ing is carried on to any extent, there is a great and indiscriminate des- 

 truction of spawning and under-sized fish. I do not see that there is 

 any way of preventing this except by legislation, and even then consider- 

 able difficulties would arise, for any general Act would be unworkable, 

 and must in most parts of the country remain a dead letter. It would, 

 I think, be better to have an Act which could be applied, when considered 

 necessary, to particular rivers and localities favourable for fish breeding'.'" 

 The Acting Second Assistant Collector remarked as follows : — "From con- 

 versation with fishermen here, I have ascertained that they are quite 

 aware that the quantity of fish in the rivers is less than it was, and that 

 a prohibitive measure regulating the size of the nets would not be un- 

 popular, and I do not think any great hardship would be caused by 

 closing the fisheries during breeding time, as the greater number of the 

 fishermen are then employed in agriculture or other pursuits. I think 

 some measure for the conservation of the fish is necessary.'''' The Collector 

 likewise observed : — " No doubt very young fish are destroyed in nallas, 

 shallows, &c, by persons who are not regular fishermen, and at all seasons 

 with nets, pieces of cloth used as nets, &c. The smallest mesh of the 

 nets is less than an inch ; it has never been attempted to regulate their 

 size, but such might be done ; still one or two years' notice should be given 

 beforehand, as the nets with smaller meshes would become useless ; the 

 minimum size might be from half an inch to one inch between knot and 

 knot. The' sale of fry might be prohibited, and a close season is desirable." 

 100. The Collector of Puna reported (June 30th, 1871) that in the 



district there are two large rivers, viz., the 

 . Opinions of European officials Bheema and the Neera the f ormer has seven 

 in the Puna Collectorate. . m . . . ' , . . „ , 



large affluents, viz., the Fooshpawuttee, Jxook- 



ree, Meena, Goar, Bhama, Indrayunee, and Moola Moota ; the latter has 

 one, viz., the Kurra : each of these has its large and small feeders. Most 

 of these streams retain large pools during the hottest season ; in some the 

 water flows perennially. The fisheries are generally appropriated by the 

 villages within which they are situated. Government have hitherto never 

 claimed rent. No private rights really exist, but that of prescription may 

 be claimed. [License, however long enjoyed, gives no right according to 

 the British law.] The Assistant Collector at the same time observed that 

 the natives of the Deccan refuse to eat crabs, turtles and tortoises for reli- 



