Barabai, South Kalimantan 6/8 (AntaranewsKalsel) - The Sub-District of North Labuan Amas (LAU) residents in Central Hulu Sungai (HST), South Kalimantan, found difficulties to open agricultural land, especially in swampy areas spread in Sungai Buluh, Mantaas, and Rantau Bujur Villages.
Mantaas Village Chief Mahyuni in Barabai on Sunday said local residents are calling on local government to manage agricultural land to overcome the problems.
"Because of the difficulty of opening agricultural land, eventually people choose to fish by stun to support their families," said Mahyuni.
According to Sub-district Head of North Labuan Amas Anhar, agricultural land in the area is covered with vines, locally known as susupan laki (like putri malu plant or Mimosa pudica), makes people difficult to open the land or to use it.
"People's economy is declining because the agricultural land can not be used that's why many are fishing by using electric current," said Anhar.
In fact, he continued, this kind of fishing is a crime and prohibited by the government. He called on people to fish by legal means.
The impact of the fish standings have caused clashes among the fishermen in Lake Bangkau, the border between HST and South Hulu Sungai (HSS), which triggered the seizure of fishing locations.
The issue also became the attention of HST Regent H. Abdul Latif, who then promised to solve these problems considering that Lake Bangkau is a joint property of HST and HSS residents living side by side.
"Agricultural land overgrown with vines needs to be handled immediately so that people can take advantage of it and (illegal) fishing activities also reduced," said Latif.
Previously the South Kalimantan Police Chief has ordered to immediately settle the problem of illegal fishing in this area and people who possessed the fish stun devices to immediately hand them over to the police and no longer violated the law.