Fisheries and Aquaculture in Himachal Pradesh | Himachal General Knowledge | Himachal Pariksha
FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE
Himachal Pradesh is blessed with vast and variegated fishery resources in the shape of networks of rivers, streams, tributaries, sprawling reservoirs, natural lakes and ponds etc. Mainly classified into riverine, lacustrine, recreational and pond fisheries, the state waters offer considerable potential for the promotion of fisheries and employment generation. The commercially important fish species in Gobind Sagar and Pong Dam Reservoirs have become a tool for the upliftment of local population. The state has the proud to be the first in the country to introduce and popularise troutfarming in the private sector. About 5000 fishermen in the pradesh depend direcly on reservoir fisheries for their livelihood.
Despite hilly terrain of the state Aquaculture is being given due importance. On the proposal of the state Government a new scheme "Strengthening of Cold Water Aquaculture" has been approved by Govt. of India on 80:20 basis. The scheme envisages upgradation of fish farms and assistance to fish farmers and fishermen.
Department of Fisheries has intiated many welfare schemes for the upliftment of fishermen. Fishermen now are covered under insurance scheme where Rs. 50000 is giveron any casualty and Rs. 25000 on disability and even losses to their gear and crafts are being born by the state Government to some extent (33%). A contributory saving scheme has been initiated by the State Government and matching state's share of deposited saving is provided to them during this season.
TROUT BREEDING FARM PATLIKUHL
The cool and resounding with roar of water gushing into fish tanks and hanging with a mild 'fishy' odur, greets one in Himachal's Indo-Norwegian Trout Farming Project, lying amidst lush greenery at Patlilkuhl, almost midway between Kullu and Manali on National Highway 21. Motorists driving past are unaware that tonnes of fish swim in these tanks. It's no ordinary fish. It is rainbow trout, that ranks among the world's best table fish.
"Lord fish has given us a profession
But we catch and use him without compunction.
In ways galore, as if there is his permission
Yet we have his blessings, as he is our stanchion"
Perennial snow-fed rivers and tributaries, make Himachal an anger's delight. Surprisngly, trout is not its native. It was Mitchell, a British, who brought trout, a species of Salmonidae from England to Kashmir in A.D. 1899, eventually finding its way to Himachal in 1909. The concept of angler's game'fish changed to commercial trout farming when dry trout feed appeared in Europe, which also revolutionised trout culture in North America, Denmark and Japan. The Indo-Norwegian Trout farm with modern hatchery techniques. Pelleted trout feed and demonstration of large table-size, trout farming technology. In its 14 fish tanks, Rainbow trout thrive while Barot's Fisheries Department has the slow-growing rare brown variety. Despite a series of floods devastating kullu valley, the project has created interest in Commercial trout farming suited to Himachal's icy cold waters. Rainbow trout is ideal for farming as it accepts artificial feed easily. Not only an all night-vigil, but in fact a round-the clock check is kept on fish tanks to ensure that its water supply is continuous.
Silt or wood disrupts supply, especially in the monsoon. A watch is also kept on water's temperature in fish tanks. Temperature should not exceed 17 degree Celcius, as mortality starts after 18 degree Celcius. Though trout can tolerate a temperature up to 20 degree Celcius, It can exhaust not accepting the feed.
Beas and its tributaries like Tirthan, Parvati and Gadsa in Kullu abound in trout. Carry your own flies and rods. Only artificial baits like spinner fly plug are allowed. However, no trout fishing is permitted from November 1 to January 31 each year. It is believed to grant a long life and is auspicious when a path a made. The project has many such visitors, since fish is embedded in the valley's culture. Inside, one cannot miss reading these words conveying bond, a philosophy between man and fish, Matsya is activity fecundity and prosperity. Matsya blesses his tribe with the Trinity. Sustainability, provided the tribe ensure his conscience of his capture suspeptibility. The balance has to be maintained and man who inhabits land, shares the world with water's creature, fish.
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