Declaration as Fish Sanctuary

(1) The State Government, on the basis of the recommendation of the Technical Comnuttee appointed in this behalf may, by notification in the Gazette, declare any public water body to be a protected fish sanctuary if they consider that such an area is having fishery related or zoologically or naturally or ecologically sufficient importance in protecting and propagating fish or its environment: Provided that if any water body under the possession of Local Self Government Institutions or Government or quasi Government Institutions, Boards or Organisations is situated in the said area, the Government shall, before making the declaration in such area consult the concerned Local Self Government Institutions or Government or quasi Government Institutions, Boards or Organisations. (2) The recommendations of the Technical Committee under sub-section (1) shall be, made after obtaining the opinion of the stake holders in such manner as may be prescribed and according to the guidelines prescribed by the Government in this behalf (3) Whenever any water body in such area is declared to be a protected fish sanctuary the authorized officer shall enquire into and decide as to the existence, nature and extent of the rights of any person in or over the area comprised within the limits of the fish sanctuary after verifying the revenue records. (4) When a notification has been issued under sub-section (1), the authorised officer shall issue a proclamation describing the boundaries of the fish sanctuary in the regional language, in every town and village in- or in the neighbourhood of that area comprised therein. (5) The authorized officer shall, after issuing notice to the concerned person in respect of any right of any person under sub-section (2) hold enquiry on the records submitted to him to the extent possible from the records of the Government and from the evidence given by any person knowing the matter.