In an effort to conserve fish populations during their breeding period, the Chhattisgarh government has initiated a fishing ban from June 16, 2025, to August 15, 2025. This ban covers all rivers, ponds, and reservoirs within the state, prohibiting fishing, killing, and sale of fish throughout the specified period.
The primary reason for this ban is to protect fish during the monsoon season, when they are most vulnerable while laying eggs. The government’s action is rooted in the Chhattisgarh Fisheries Act of 1972, designed to provide fish with a secure environment for reproduction. This is expected to lead to an increase in fish populations and benefit local farmers in the long run.
Exemptions to this rule include water bodies not connected to rivers or streams, as well as cage culture operations.
Those who violate the ban may be penalized with up to one year of imprisonment, a fine of ₹10,000, or both.
Additionally, the state has completely banned the cultivation, sale, purchase, or import of invasive fish species like the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis). These foreign species are harmful to other aquatic life and disrupt the ecological balance of water bodies. The Indian government and the Chhattisgarh government have jointly classified these fish as prohibited species. Penalties for non-compliance include up to a year’s imprisonment and/or a fine of ₹10,000, regardless of the water body’s ownership.