25-quintal fish netted in Maun festival

Ajay Ramola

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, June 27

Cries of macha, macha (Fish, fish) reverberated in the Aglar valley as the lone fishing festival of Garhwal “Maun” was celebrated with fervour and gaiety here today.

A sea of humanity from around 140 villages around Jaunpur village converged on the river bank to collect the prized catch in the form of mahseer, eel, etc.

Around 25 quintals of the prized catch were taken home by villagers who, armed with their fishing nets and other necessary equipment, waited for the intoxicant powder made from Timru bark to be dumped in the river. The fish went unconscious due to the effect of the powder and were caught by the villagers easily.

Nandlal, 60-year-old from Gaith village, was also seen with his fishing net. He said the festival had its history. The king of Garhwal began this festival keeping environmental and social concerns in mind. The king directed its subjects to celebrate "Maun" once a year so that the river by the continuous human activity was cleaned of all fungus and the fishes that came upstream for breeding peacefully during the monsoon.

The king also ensured that social harmony was maintained as every one was given a turn to make intoxicant powder Timru thus reassuring the bonding among people.

However, the dwindling number of prized catch has angered the villagers from Khairar who said the rampant use of bleaching powder had reduced the number of fish this year.

Ramlal Kavi, GD Kavi, Bobby Kavi from the village said if the villagers did not stop using the bleaching powder, then they would not bring Timru powder for the festival next year.

The festival was also marred by clashes over parking issues which led to breaking of windowpanes of many cars near Aglar Bridge. The pilgrims on their vehicles heading toward Yamnotri had been stranded for several hours due to long traffic jams.

Kempty police station officer said the force had been sent to the spot and the traffic problem had been eased.

Rohan Joshi, a tourist and travel writer, who was present at the river, said it was the way to for social ties.

Environmentalist are concerned at human activity near the river but the villagers believe that once a year it would only help in keeping the environment of the river clean.