clix 



these fish are said, during latter years, to have become scarce, but 

 it is attributed to the removal of the dams. [It is a very remark- 

 able circumstance that a reason is always found to account for a 

 decrease of fish, and that reason is rarely put down as man ; it is too 

 little or too much rain ; but fishing-weirs totally impeding- any passage 

 to spawning-grounds, capturing breeding-fish, or destroying the fry are 

 omitted from the category.] During the rains numerous small fish are 

 caught in the fields and gools. "I do not think it would be advisable 

 as regards the Tnrai to impose any restrictions, and for the following 

 reasons. The tract is excessively narrow (14 miles), and the fish found 

 in it of little value, the result of any conservancy would be trifling; 

 fif 14 miles length of rivers existing between the hill where fish ascend to 

 breed, and the plains to which they descend in the cold season, ought to be 

 permitted to be poached by fixed weirs, it is difficult to understand why 

 fish should be protected anywhere. Here is their road, — is such to be 

 open or closed ? — should all narrow highways be blocked ?] the waters are 

 insignificant; the removal of the earthen dams has, I believe, enabled the 

 fish to pass to and fro, and any fishing in the Tuiai rivulets can have 

 little effect on them." He continues that small fish are the chief object 

 of the fisherman's labour, and were catching them prohibited, perhaps the 

 agriculturists would migrate. 



331. The Commissioner of Benares — Replied (in 1869) "that fish 



are taken at all times of the year, irrespective 

 Opinions of European Officials ot - the spawnm g season, which must seriously 



in the Benares Division. m ±t • » *r , J 



affect their increase. In answer to the 

 questions now circulated, the Commissioner (May 20th, 1872) reported 

 the supply of fish may be said to be unlimited throughout large portions 

 of- the district, owing to extensive jhils ; considers the rainy season as 

 practically a close one, whilst regulating the minimum size of the mesh 

 of the nets, to be effectually carried out, would lead to the obvious evils 

 of interference by untrustworthy subordinates, but the sale of the fry 

 of fish might be stopped by municipalities in the bazars. The 

 Magistrate of Goruckpur (February 28th) observed on the destruction 

 and waste of fish, — " It is sufficient to remark that the natives catch 

 fish all the year round, at all times, and in all places, without any 

 regard to the spawning season and the mixture of the fry, to show that 

 great destruction must be committed. Their greediness also in sparing 

 nothing, however small, which can contribute towards a meal, is an 

 equally strong evidence of waste. It is even said that the mallahs 

 and keioats dig the spawn of fish out of the banks of rivers (see 

 paragraph 166, p. xcii), and after preparing it in a certain manner, either 

 consume it themselves, or offer it for sale. Small auxiliary waters are 

 the chief scene of this destruction, and the chief agent is a dam, called 

 chilwan, which is stretched across a stream, and catches all the fish, 

 however small, which may descend, while at the same time it entirely 

 interrupts their ascent. 1 have inspected two of these dams constructed 

 in the Rohan Nuddi at Domingarh, and have carefully examined their 

 construction and operation. The dam chilwan- resembles a screen 

 made of common reed called surput ; the reeds are so close too-ether 

 that the smallest fry can hardly get through, and the dam is further 

 plastered at its foot with mud and strengthened with matting, chataie, 



