look news india
The demand for fish in the Indian fish market is always at its peak. Many fish are known for their excellent growth and taste, but do you know that there is a fish which grows very fast in just a few months, which costs almost nothing to rear and from whose illegal sale in the market people earn lakhs – yet the Indian government has completely banned it in the country. At first glance, it may seem surprising that why such a profitable thing is banned, but the horrifying reason behind it has given sleepless nights to everyone from scientists to environmentalists.
After all, what is this fish and why is it called ‘aquatic monster’?
The name of the fish we are talking about is ‘Thai Magur’ or African Catfish. Unlike the normal desi Mangur, this hybrid species is considered extremely dangerous. The first and foremost reason for its ban is its carnivorous and extremely aggressive nature. This fish acts like a ‘silent killer’ or aquatic monster underwater. It is so hungry and violent that it completely destroys all the other local fish, turtles, frogs and other aquatic creatures present in the pond or river where it is reared. Due to this our aquatic ecosystem is completely destroyed.
It becomes poisonous even in dirty gutter water, it is a ‘slow poison’ for human health.
The biggest specialty and weakness of Thai Mangur is that it can easily survive in any kind of extremely dirty, polluted and gutter water and increases its weight very fast. Taking advantage of this nature, some greedy businessmen feed it rotten meat, remains of dead animals and dirty things. Because of this, large amounts of lead, iron and dangerous bacteria accumulate in the body of this fish. According to health experts and doctors, consuming this contaminated Thai Mangur fish increases the risk of cancer, liver damage, serious stomach diseases and skin infections in humans manifold. This is no less than a slow poison for health.
Why is its black market flourishing despite strict government restrictions and heavy fines?
The Government of India and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had imposed a nationwide ban on the cultivation, sale and transportation of Thai Mangur in the year 2000 in view of its dangerous side effects. Local administration and fisheries department often conduct raids and destroy thousands of quintals of illegal Mangur. Despite this, its black market is secretly flourishing because this fish is available at very cheap rates and common people unknowingly buy it considering it to be desi Mangur. If you also buy fish from the market, then avoid buying large Mangur fish that is extremely dark black or brown in color, because a small carelessness on your part can put the health of your entire family at great risk.