Himachal Stocks Over 14.79 Lakh Fish Seed in Govindsagar Reservoir

The Fisheries Department has stocked more than 14.79 lakh quality fish seed of different species in Himachal Pradesh’s famous Govindsagar Reservoir to increase, conserve and develop its fish resources. The fish seed was obtained from West Bengal and departmental fish farms and stocked at different locations in the reservoir.

The stocking process began on October 17, when the first batch of 2,05,866 Katla and silver fish seed was stocked at Luhnu in Bilaspur district. The department then stocked 3,38,505 silver carp at Raipur Maidan in Una district on October 23.

On October 27, 3,83,472 Katla fish seed was stocked at Bhakra. This was followed by the stocking of 2,66,000 Rohu and Mrigal fish seed at the Jakatkhana station of Govindsagar Reservoir on October 28. The Rohu and Mrigal seed had been obtained from the Departmental Carp Fish Farm, Alsu, district Mandi.

In addition, 2,85,298 silver carp fish seed, purchased from West Bengal at rates approved by the department, was stocked at Luhnu on October 30. The fish seed received from West Bengal is 100 millimetres and above in size. The Rohu and Mrigal fish seed was prepared at the Departmental Carp Fish Farm, Alsu, district Mandi.

The department said the stocking of quality fish seed of a larger size improves the chances of the fish surviving and helps increase fish production in the reservoir. The process is being carried out under the supervision of a departmental committee formed under the chairmanship of Pawan Kumar, Joint Director Fisheries, Himachal Pradesh.

Pankaj Thakur, Member Secretary of the committee and Assistant Director Fisheries, Fisheries Division Bilaspur, was present as a supervisor during the process. Neetu Singh, Assistant Director Fisheries, Fisheries Division Mandi, and Poonam Dhiman, Assistant Director Fisheries, Fisheries Division Solan, were also present as supervisors.

The concerned fisheries officers, representatives of fisheries cooperative societies and local fishermen also took part in the fish seed stocking process at different locations.

Pankaj Thakur said that 46 fisheries cooperative societies are functioning in Govindsagar Reservoir. Through these societies, 2561 fishermen are connected with the fishing business and earn their livelihood by catching fish from the reservoir every day.

He said the state government had provided assistance of 3500 rupees per fisherman family to fishermen during the prohibited period this year. In addition, the central government has proposed providing relief of 3000 rupees per fisherman to eligible fishermen during the prohibited period under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.

Thakur said the department was stocking quality fish seed of different species according to the prescribed demand. Every year, the Fisheries Department obtains fish seed from outside the state and from departmental fish farms for Govindsagar Reservoir and stocks it according to scientific methods.

The department said the effort is aimed at increasing fish production in the reservoir and further strengthening the livelihood of local fishermen associated with the fishing business. Thakur said the fish seed stocking process would continue according to the prescribed demand.