Bilaspur (HP), Nov 2 The Fisheries Department of Himachal Pradesh has stocked over 14.79 lakh high-quality fish seeds of various species procured from West Bengal and departmental fish farms in the Gobind Sagar Reservoir, to enhance, conserve, and promote fish wealth in the state, officials said.
Under the initiative, the first batch of 2,05,866 Catla and Silver fish seeds was released on October 17 at Luhnu in Bilaspur district. This was followed by stocking of 3,38,505 Silver Carp on October 23 at Raipur Maidan in Una district, said Assistant Director of Fisheries, Bilaspur, Pankaj Thakur on Monday.
As many as 3,83,472 Catla were released on October 27 at Bhakra, and 2,66,000 Rohu and Mrigal fish seeds were released on October 28 at Zakatkhana.
Additionally, 2,85,298 Silver Carp fish seeds procured from West Bengal at approved department rates were stocked at Luhnu on October 30.
The entire stocking drive was conducted under the supervision of a departmental committee chaired by Pawan Kumar, Joint Director of Fisheries, Himachal Pradesh.
Thakur said as many as 46 fisheries cooperative societies actively operate in the Gobind Sagar Reservoir, supporting 2,561 fishermen who rely on daily fishing activities for their livelihood.
He said that the state government provided relief assistance of Rs 3,500 per fisherman family during the restricted fishing period this year, while the central government proposes to provide an additional Rs 3,000 per eligible fisherman family under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
He added that the department regularly procures and stocks seeds using scientific methods to boost production, strengthen the local fishing community’s income, and maintain sustainable fisheries management, confirming that the stocking process will continue until the planned requirements are met.
(PTI News)
