|
Action Plan:
Action Plan:
For convenience, Fisheries of Himachal
Pradesh may be classified into four types
1. Reservoir fisheries
2. Riverine fisheries:
i) Sport
fisheries;
ii) General fisheries.
3. Aquaculture:
i)
Carp farming;
ii) Trout
farming
4.
High altitude fisheries.
1. Reservoir
fisheries:
As far the reservoirs, the
state is blessed with 4 major man-made
reservoirs namely Gobind Sagar, Pong , Chamera
and Ranjeet Sagar with mean water spread of
26000 ha. The cumulative fish production from
these water bodies during 2010-11 was 956.18 mt.
Valued Rs. 588.69 lakh and provided livelihood
to over 6000 fishermen families. Further, while
Gobind Sagar is maintaining an unique
distinction of highest per hectare fish
production (over 100 Kg. per hectare) for over
two decades, the Pong reservoir fishermen are
getting highest per Kg. price of their catch at
landing sites (Rs. 216/- per Kg.) in the
country. In view of these two characteristic
features, while the fishermen of Gobind Sagar
have benefited by continuous increase in total
over the years, the fishermen of Pong reservoir
got benefited by steep increase in the price of
the harvest. The Fish fauna of both these water
bodies differ widely, while Gobind Sagar is
exclusively carp reservoir, the Pong reservoir
is pre dominantly a cat fish reservoir.
Fish production from these
reservoirs is envisaged to be achieved as 2000
mt. in the next five years.
To attain the above-indicated target, following
steps are required to be undertaken:
|
|
Regular
stocking of at least 2.0 crore fry of
Indian major carp each year in the
reservoirs; |
|
|
Intensification of fishing effort by enrolment of additional
unemployed youths under fishing activities; |
|
|
Strengthening
fishing conservation efforts by conducting
regular raids in the reservoirs to eradicate
use of undersize nets and to check fish
black marketing. |
|
|
Construction
of atleast one carp seed farm in the
vicinity of Pong reservoir to ensure
adequate production of fish seed of
desirable size in the same climatic
conditions for stocking in the reservoirs. |
Gobind Sagar reservoir
During the year 2010-11 the
cummulative fish production of reservoir stood
at 662.12 mt. valued Rs. 313.97 lakh. The
production can easily be jacked up to 1500 t in
a period of five years. Further the catch
spectrum also needs paradigm shift from Chinese
carps (Silver carp & Mirror carp) to
commercially important Indian Major Carps.
Intensive regular stocking of IMC seed could
easily bring this shift in fish composition.
Infact, the decision of large size stocking of
fish seed requires continuation. This would not
only enhance the fish landings but also fetch
more catches as well as unit price to the
fishermen. This would also generate at least 150
additional employments to rural youths. The
intensification of fishing efforts would in turn
help in boosting the catches significantly.
Pong reservoir
During the year 2010-11 the
cumulative fish production of Pong reservoir
stood at 279.16 t valued over Rs. 267.28 lakh.
The catches are dominated by Mystus sp. followed
by Mahseer,Mrigal,M.Carp Rohu and Catla. The
carnivore fishes constitute 73 % of the total
catch. Though these carnivore fishes are
fetching best possible rates by the consumers
but being non-compatible with carps, their
dominant presence goes against the survival,
growth and proliferation of carps.
In this reservoir too, it
is necessary to restore a balance of catch
composition between catfishes & carps. Stocking
of advanced fry/fingerlings could attain this by
raising them in fish farms.
The estimated fish
production of Pong reservoir is 500 t by the end
of 2015.
Pong reservoir occupies a
prominent position in terms of mahseer fishery.
By intensive stocking of mahseer seed the
reservoir could be developed as leading Mahseer
Angling reservoir of the country. A large number
of anglers visit Pong reservoir each year in the
pursuit of this mighty fish and try their luck
with the rod. The reservoir is a rich store
house of this mighty carp and each year 50 to 70
t of this endangered fish is caught by
professionals and anglers. Angling competitions
are also being held in this water body for the
last two decades. The development of this Pong
dam as “Mahseer Angling Reservoir’ could go a
long way in promoting tourists flow in the
state.
Chamera
Reservoir:
Due to various reasons the
fishery of this important water body couldn’t be
developed on expected lines. Taking the
potential of this water body, it is important
that requisite seed of suitable species and
desired size be stocked in this water body. It
is important that prior to stocking seed be
reared at the Sultanpur fish farm. Mahseer &
Silver carp are the suggested species.
Ranjeet Sagar Reservoir:
Fishing has been started in Ranjeet Sagar
Reservoir (in the area falling in the territory
of Himachal Pradesh) Although negligible area of
this reservoir falls in the territory but
production wise this reservoir is coming up very
nicely. Out of total catch of 11.413 MT, Mahseer,
Mirror Carp and L.dero are the prominent species
of fish available. Strengthening of conservation
measures can attain more production from this
reservoir.
H.P.
Aquaculture, Fishing and Marketing Society
(Government of Himachal Pradesh Undertaking)
(Regd. Office: Directorate of Fisheries, H.P.
“Matsya Bhawan”, Bilaspur-174 001)
|
