KALIMPONG,
May 26. - Angling is a major pastime for most residents from
these parts of the Hills. You name it and you'll get it. The
migratory and sporting Golden Masheer, Katla, Jal Kaapor (Trout),
and various other freshwater fishes such as the Gooch (a species
of shark), and the Grass and Silver Carps - they are all ready
for the taking.
They are mainly two favourite seasons for
anglers in the Hills. One is the pre-monsoon season, from
March to May. This is the season when the piscivorous Golden
Masheer is mostly available. Some may be surprised about the
availability of this species, but it is mainly due to its
migratory habits. The fish climbs upstream (from the Bay of
Bengal) to spawn. The other important season is the post-monsoon
season, late September to October.
If the shores of the Teesta are dirty after
heavy rain, then the thoubans, meaning `confluence`, of Teesta-Beni-Rangeet,
Teesta-Rali, Teesta-Riang, provide enough visibility of the
river beds something very essential for a successful fishing
trip.
Mr Kirthiman Tamang (71), an expert in wildlife,
said: `Fishing for me has never been out of fashion. It all
started as a hobby at a very early age. A very important factor
to be taken into consideration is that angling should always
be taken as a sport. Fishing through blasting and by thiodine
use, bleaching and contamination will, on the long run, lead
to the extinction of all rare species.`
Local MLA Mr Gaulan Lepcha, also an angling enthusiast, said:
`The Teesta and the Ranget are always on my mind. Moreover,
as I am into politics, this is a wonderful way to relax.`
Also benefiting from angling is shopkeeper
Mr Ajay Agarwal (32), who sells fishing implements. He said:
`The sale of fishing hooks and cords has gone up. During holidays,
a large number of people come to buy fishing implements here.`
According to Mr Agarwal, people as far away from Teesta, about
15 km from here, also come here to buy hooks and cords and
then go back to fish.
Courtesy
The Telegraph |
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