According to NDTV reporting published on August 21, 2026, Indian fisheries authorities in Nagpur raided 11 illegal fish ponds and destroyed 36 metric tonnes of banned Thai Mangur catfish. The operation relied on Google Maps for site identification and used an undercover agent posing as a customer to gather intelligence before enforcement teams moved in with 25 local fishers to clear the ponds.
Undercover Operation and Pond Raids in Nagpur
The enforcement action took place in the Chicholi Mahadula area after authorities received actionable intelligence regarding clandestine aquaculture operations. According to the Nagpur fisheries department, officials used Google Maps to pinpoint the exact location of the illegal fish farms. To secure evidence, the agency deployed an undercover agent who posed as a prospective customer to buy fish and document illicit breeding practices.
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Once the intelligence was confirmed, fisheries officers executed a coordinated raid across 11 large ponds on the property. The operation required significant manual labor to empty the sites. The fisheries office enlisted 25 local fishers who used commercial fishing nets to haul the banned catfish out of the water. Officials then buried and destroyed the entire stock of 36 tonnes on-site to prevent the fish from entering local markets.
Public Health Risks and Legal Action Against Owners
Authorities filed formal criminal complaints against Shakil Khan Abdul Salam Khan, the owner of the raided fish farm, charging him with the illegal breeding of prohibited aquatic species. According to municipal inspectors, the crackdown was driven by urgent public health and environmental protection mandates.
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The destruction of these 36 tonnes represents 1 of the largest operations of the agency in suppressing the breeding of this type of fish, signaling a strict regulatory stance against illegal aquaculture.
Broader Crackdown on Banned Aquaculture in India
The Nagpur operation builds on a broader regional campaign against unauthorized fish farming. According to fisheries department records, authorities have destroyed approximately 51 tonnes of illegal Thai Mangur catfish over the preceding three months.
The scale of the recent seizure highlights the persistence of illegal breeding networks despite nationwide bans. Fisheries officials have indicated that inspection teams will continue targeting other suspicious water bodies and rural aquaculture sites to eradicate the species from local supply chains entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Thai Mangur catfish banned in India?
According to fisheries officials, the species is banned due to severe public health and environmental risks stemming from its scavenger diet and ability to thrive in polluted water.
How much banned fish was seized in Nagpur?
According to NDTV reports, authorities destroyed 36 metric tonnes of Thai Mangur catfish across 11 ponds during the August 2026 raid.
What methods did authorities use to catch the violators?
Investigators used Google Maps to locate the ponds and sent an undercover agent posing as a customer to purchase fish and gather evidence before launching the raid.
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