xlviii 



99. Tlie Collector of Ahmednugger repovtod (July 8th, 1871) lliaL 



tlio rivers IMieuiiia, Soona, (iixlavori, Goor, 



Oiiiuioiis of KmoiMan oiliciiils p,.„uva, iuid Moulla, wliicli pass tliiDuyh or 



tointc bonlor tliu ilistrict, contani coiisuluraljle ([uaii- 



tities of libli, wliicli, liowever, are mostly of 

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

 where the lish conyreg'ate are fished by all persons withoiit 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 he disputed. The Collector 

 subsequently (Februaiy 22nd, 1872) ob.servcd, that the rivers in the 

 Colleetorate arc dragged and fished by all persons without restriction as 

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

 consccpience. The Acting First Asuistaul 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 sjiawning and under-sized fish. I do not see that there is 

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

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

 and must in most jiarts of the covuitry remain a deatl letter. It woidd, 

 I think, be better to have an Act which could be a))])lied, when considered 

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

 The Actiiiy Second Assistant tt/^/t'c^yr remarked as follows : — "From con- 

 versation with fishermen here, I have ascertained that they are (juite 

 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 lie given 

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

 minimum size might be fi'oni 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 Pnna reported (June 30th, 1871) that in the 

 district there are two large rivers, viz., the 

 Opinions of Kuropeau officios ^\^^^^^^ ^^,^1 tijg ^^.^j.^ the former has seven 



lU the I'uua Collfclorate. , ,11 j ■ ^i ni 1 , ^ t' 1 



large alltuents, vtz.,i\\Q rooshpawuttee, Ivook- 

 ree, Meena, Gear, Bhama, Indrayunee, and Moola ]\Ioota ; the latter has 

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

 of these streams retain large jiools diu-ing 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.l The Assistant Collector at the same time observed that 

 the natives of the Deecan refuse to eat crabs, turtles and tortoises for rcli- 



