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Report by Orissadiary correspondent; Kendrapara: The Bhitarkanika forest officials on Monday arrested six fishermen and seized three mechanised fishing boats along with 75 kg of fish catch from their possession while they were catching fish illegally entering unlawfully into the prohibited zone under Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, said DFO of Rajnagar Mangrove Forest and Wildlife Division PK Behera. Official sources said while the forest officials were patrolling the sea to provide safety to the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles, the fishermen were intercepted by the patrolling team. Those arrested were identified as the inhabitants of Bengali-dominated Kharnashi village. On Tuesday, they were produced in the SDJM Court under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Notably, the Forest Department has imposed ban on fishing around 20 km off the shore from November 1 to May 31.
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