SHILLONG:
The Division of Animal & Fisheries Sciences, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam celebrated World Fisheries Day and organised “Ranching of indigenous fish in the Umiam reservoir and fish seed distribution programme”, at Umniuh village under Tribal Sub Plan programme recently.
Around 60 fisher folk communities residing near Umiam reservoir, and fish farmers from different parts of Ri-Bhoi district attended the programme.
VK Mishra, director ICAR NEH, who graced the occasion as the chief guest highlighted the nutritional importance of fish, further adding that fish farming is an important source of income generation. He laid emphasis on PM’s plan of doubling farmers’ income through systematic and integrated approaches and assured all scientific and technical supports from ICAR NEH.
SK Das, head division of Animal and Fisheries Sciences, in his welcome speech informed the participants about the importance of the day and interacted with the fishermen communities, suggesting them to follow scientific fishing method. Das informed that Umiam reservoir is a fish biodiversity hotspot from NE India which needs to be conserved and invigorated through community participation and ranching with quality fish seeds.
S Hazarika, head division of System Research and Engineering and Nodal Officer, Tribal Sub Plan, highlighted the objectives of the TSP programme and urged farmers to protect the ecosystem of Umiam reservoir as it is the lifeline and source of income generation for them.
The programme concluded by ranching of ICAR produced seeds in the Umiam reservoir and distribution of fish fingerling free of cost among farmers. About 5000 fish fingerlings were distributed to 50 local fish farmers of Ri Bhoi district.