Jharkhand is planning to establish dedicated ‘Magur Villages’ and Live Germplasm Resource Centres to conserve the native Desi Magur (Clarias magur) and strengthen sustainable inland fisheries in the state. The initiative will be implemented by the Directorate of Fisheries, Jharkhand, in collaboration with the ICAR–National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBFGR), Lucknow, with a focus on conserving indigenous fish genetic resources and improving the availability of quality seed for farmers.
The programme will initially cover Ranchi, Gumla, Lohardaga, and Simdega, where farmers will rear Desi Magur through cluster-based farming systems. The Fisheries Directorate is also identifying additional villages and districts for future expansion as part of its efforts to strengthen native fish culture across Jharkhand.
A key objective of the programme is to ensure the production of genetically pure Desi Magur seed. According to the Directorate of Fisheries, advanced Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based molecular testing will be used to identify and eliminate illegal African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and hybrid catfish from breeding programmes. The use of molecular diagnostics is expected to help maintain the genetic purity of broodstock and improve seed quality supplied to fish farmers.
The initiative follows the declaration of Desi Magur as the State Fish of Jharkhand in November 2025, highlighting the state’s focus on conserving indigenous freshwater fish species. Native Desi Magur is valued for its commercial importance, adaptability to local farming conditions, and strong consumer demand. However, fisheries officials have noted that populations of the species have declined due to habitat degradation, environmental pressures, overfishing, and the spread of invasive and hybrid catfish.
According to Fisheries Director Amarendra Kumar, the programme aims to produce genetically pure Desi Magur seed while strengthening biodiversity conservation and supporting farmers through scientific aquaculture practices. The project is also expected to promote natural breeding techniques, improve access to quality seed, and provide hands-on technical training for fish farmers.
Alongside the Magur Villages initiative, the Directorate’s research wing is conducting cultivation and demonstration trials in Simdega, Latehar, Lohardaga, and Seraikela-Kharsawan. These trials are intended to evaluate improved production practices before the programme is expanded to other parts of the state.
The proposed Live Germplasm Resource Centres will support broodstock conservation, seed production, and research on native fish species. By preserving genetically pure breeding stock, the centres are expected to strengthen long-term conservation efforts while supporting sustainable inland aquaculture development.
The programme reflects Jharkhand’s broader efforts to promote indigenous fish culture through scientific management and farmer participation. By combining conservation with improved farming practices, the state aims to protect native Desi Magur while creating better livelihood opportunities for inland fish farmers.
If implemented successfully, the initiative could strengthen the availability of quality Desi Magur seed, reduce the spread of invasive catfish species, and contribute to the sustainable development of freshwater aquaculture in Jharkhand.