THANE

Thane district faces a shortage of veterinary facilities, with no dedicated district-level veterinary hospital. The Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has a full-time veterinary doctor, but the lack of infrastructure poses challenges for livestock and pet owners.

Some of the veterinary services available in the Thane district include:

• Dr. Bapat's Pet Animal Hospital, Thane West
• Planet Animal Hospital, Anandnagar
• Vetic Pet Clinic, Thane West
• Dr. Chariar’s Pets Speciality Clinic, Kokanipada, Thane West
• Dr. Ajit Gore's Clinic, Kirtikar Society, Thane West

Thane district, once a single administrative region, was formally divided into Thane and Palghar districts on August 1, 2014. Despite this division, these two regions remain deeply interconnected through their unique environment, shared culture, and economic activities, one of the most prominent being fishing.

Fishing in Thane is not merely a livelihood but a tradition passed down through generations. The region's abundant aquatic resources, including rivers, monsoon rivulets, ponds, and even rice fields, make it a rich hub for inland fishing. The activity varies from individual subsistence fishing, using crude, homemade tools, to organized community fishing, where seasonal weirs and intricate traps are constructed.

The Thane Gazetteer (1882) provides fascinating insights into the region’s indigenous fishing techniques. Various methods, from simple tricks using cloth and plates to specialized bamboo traps, reflect the ingenuity of the Koli fishing community and the tribal Katkari people. The fishing practices can broadly be classified into two categories:

Primitive Methods – These require minimal preparation and involve basic tools like cloth, sticks, or plates.

Refined Techniques – These are more sophisticated and require skilled craftsmanship, using bamboo, cane, and other locally available materials to build effective traps.

Among the primitive methods, one commonly observed technique is Upasaṇe (Emptying the Water Body). Here, fishermen drain shallow water bodies in the summer, trapping the fish within an enclosed space. Another traditional method is Zoḷṇe or Śelā, where a cloth held by two people is submerged and used to scoop up fish. Caḍhāvaṇ, a fascinating technique, involves placing lamps on flat rocks at night to attract climbing fish like eels and loaches, which are then caught in nearby pots.

The more refined techniques include:

Seasonal Weirs (Kīv). These are temporary stone and bamboo dams built across streams, forcing fish into nets or special traps.

Bhokaśī –

Gāde Ghālṇe, A bush trap method, where thorny bushes are used to lure and capture large fish, especially freshwater eels.

Fishing is also done using nets, spears, and poisoning techniques. Intoxicating plants like Terminalia arjuna, Gnidia glauca, and Albizia procera are sometimes used to paralyze fish, making them easier to catch.

Fishing in Thane is deeply tied to social status and economic conditions. While the Koli community and tribal groups have traditionally dominated this profession, well-to-do farmers often lease their water bodies to fishermen in exchange for a share of the catch. Village lakes are frequently auctioned for fishing rights, allowing designated individuals to control the fisheries for an entire year.

However, with increasing commercialization, traditional and sustainable fishing methods are being abandoned for more destructive practices. Illegal methods like using pesticides, electric currents, and explosives have emerged, leading to pollution of rivers and creeks, as well as significant harm to aquatic biodiversity. Additionally, once-respected ethical taboos, such as avoiding the capture of mother crabs with juveniles, are now often ignored in the pursuit of profit.

The fisheries of Thane and Palghar are not just an economic activity; they are an integral part of the region’s cultural and environmental heritage. Unfortunately, urbanization and pollution have drastically impacted these once-thriving water bodies. Once-flourishing creeks and inland fishing networks are now deteriorating due to industrial waste, plastic pollution, and unethical fishing practices