19th August 2022, Varanasi
As a part of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore organized National ranching program and mass awareness campaign today at Assi ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh under the ‘Namami Gange’ programme for holistic fisheries development of river Ganga today.
Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched the programme in presence of Dr. J. K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), Shri Kaushal Raj Sharma, DM, Varanasi, Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI and other dignitaries.
More than two lakhs artificially bred wild fish seed germplasm of river Ganga (Rohu, Catla and Mrigal) was released by the Minister and other dignitaries into the river. The event was also marked by mass awareness campaign on Ganga conservation at Assi Ghat, Varanasi.
Shri Rupala in his address expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for giving him the privilege of ranching fish fingerlings into the water of Mother Ganga at Kashi. He emphasized that about 190 fish species have been recorded from the river in the last four years which is providing livelihood and economic stability to the fishermen living on the banks of river Ganga. He stressed that under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, the river ranching program will definitely give a boost to the livelihood of fish farmers.
Dr. Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries science), ICAR highlighted the importance and significance of Gangetic fisheries in the upliftment of socio economic condition of fishers and ecosystem sustainability.
Dr. Basanta Kumar Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI briefed about ICAR-CIFRI activities under Namami Gange project. He emphasized that as a part of the National Ranching Programme more than 58 lakhs of wild Gangetic carps were released in several areas of river Ganga covering four states namely UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. He sensitized local fisher folks and highlighted the importance of Gangetic health required to sustain fishes and Dolphins.
Dr. Sandeep Kumar Behera from Namami Ganga Program highlighted the need to enhance the State-Central coordination for the conservation of indigenous fish species in the river. He sought honourable Minister's intervention to issue strict guidelines to the states to stop fishing during the breeding period.
The prime objectives of NMCG sponsored project includes exploratory survey of the fish diversity, stock assessment of the prized Rohu, Catla, Mrigal, Calbasu and Mahaseer along with seed production of selected fish species and ranching in the depleted river stretch. Fishes like Calbasu, Mrigal & Rohu will not only increase the fish catch but also will add in maintaining the cleanliness of the river as they feed on organic remnants in the river.
In the programme, active participation from all the sections of the society at different Ganga banks was seen. The fishers were sensitized on Ganga rejuvenation and restoration of prized Gangetic fishes.
(Source: ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore)
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