In an effort to preserve the fauna and wildlife, the village councils of Sukhalu, Shoixe, Kiyekhu, Khukishe and Yemishe in its joint meeting on September 27 at Yemishe Village resolved to form a Joint Council of Sukhalu, Shoixe, Kiyekhu, Khukishe and Yemishe (SSKKY) to ban fishing in Tuzu river for a period of two years with effect from June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2025.
In a press release, chairman Joint Council of SSKKY H. Vikato Yepthomi stated that the SSKKY resolved that each village will ensure to maintain its respective boundaries with respect to the ban on fishing in Tuzu River and any person violating this ban will be imposed with a hefty fine of Rs. 25,000/- and the tools used for fishing such as battery coil/generator will be seized by the Joint Council. The ban is also inclusive of mosquito nets, fishing nets or any other traditional methods of fishing.
The Joint Council also decided to prohibit any form of hunting in the forests belonging to the five villages and warned that fine will be imposed depending on the arms (guns) found in the possession of the defaulters. It was also resolved that the amount derived from the penalty will be given to the person/s who finds/reports the violators and the remaining amount will be utilized as Joint Council fund.
The release further stated that with the expiry of the two-year ban on fishing in Tuzu River and ban on hunting in the forested areas of the five villages, the Joint Council will decide on the period for which the ban will be lifted and will be communicated to the villages. The Joint Council also deliberated on the construction of a bridge above Tuzu River and decided to deliberate further on how to construct the bridge in the future meetings.