Himachal Sends 2,000 Golden Mahseer Fingerlings to West Bengal for First Time

Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh: Himachal Pradesh’s Fisheries Department has sent a consignment of 2,000 Golden Mahseer fingerlings to West Bengal for the first time. The fingerlings reached their destination with a zero mortality rate, marking a major development for the state’s fisheries sector.

The fingerlings were prepared at the National Mahseer Farm in Machhiyal, Mandi district. The consignment was sold to Subrata Mandal, a young fish entrepreneur from South Dinajpur in West Bengal.

The department has described the shipment as a pilot test. The first consignment of 2,000 fingerlings will be assessed for their survival during transportation and their ability to adapt to the climate and environment of West Bengal.

If the results remain satisfactory, the department plans to send the next consignment of 10,000 Golden Mahseer fingerlings. The department will monitor the results of the first shipment before moving to the next stage.

The initiative has opened up the possibility of finding new markets in other states for fish seed produced in Himachal Pradesh. It also marks the first inter-state supply of Golden Mahseer fingerlings by the Himachal Pradesh Fisheries Department.

Focus on a native and endangered species

Golden Mahseer is the state fish of Himachal Pradesh and is among the important indigenous species found in the Himalayan river system. The fish is known for its attractive golden colour and special features. It is also popular among fishing enthusiasts.

However, the species has been placed in the endangered category on the IUCN Red List. Against this background, the department’s work on its scientific breeding, conservation and development is being viewed as an important step.

Golden Mahseer also has a significant presence in Himachal Pradesh’s Govind Sagar and Pong reservoirs. The department’s latest initiative focuses on producing quality fingerlings while also supporting the conservation and development of the species.

Himachal Pradesh Fisheries Department Director Om Kant Thakur said the first inter-state supply of Golden Mahseer was an important achievement for the department. He said the development reflected the state’s growing technical and institutional capacity for producing quality fish seed.

Thakur said Himachal Pradesh has great potential for cold-water fisheries and for the development of indigenous fish species. He said the department was working to promote scientific breeding, quality fish seed production and conservation, along with the commercialisation of Golden Mahseer.

He also said the results of the 2,000 fingerlings sent in the first phase would be monitored. If the results were successful, the department would send the next consignment of 10,000 fingerlings.

According to the department, the initiative is expected to create new business opportunities in Himachal Pradesh’s fisheries sector. It is also expected to encourage entrepreneurship and strengthen the livelihoods of fishing communities.

Thakur said the department’s aim was to make Himachal Pradesh a state that produces and exports fingerlings in the next few years. The department also wants to remove the state’s dependence on importing fingerlings from other states.