Varanasi: In a concerted effort to bolster fish production and maintain a healthy aquatic ecosystem, the Uttar Pradesh Fisheries Department orchestrated a river ranching program at Sant Ravidas Ghat along the Ganga River this Tuesday.
During the event, Union Minister for Fisheries, Livestock, and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, announced the commencement of river ranching activities for the State fish Chitala. This endeavor is aimed at reviving the Chitala population, which faces the brink of extinction in the state.
Balancing the aquatic ecosystem and mitigating micro-pollution in the Ganga River are among the primary goals of this event, with the participation of Uttar Pradesh Fisheries Minister Dr. Sanjay Kumar Nishad underscoring its significance.
The river ranching event witnessed the release of over one lakh Chitala fish into the Ganga, a move that holds promise in saving this endangered species from further decline and bolstering the income of fish farmers. This effort falls under the ‘Chitala Conservation and Promotion Project,’ as stated by Sanjay Kumar Nishad.
Prashant Sharma, Director Fisheries, highlighted the importance of the river ranching event, which is designed to conserve and promote the state fish Chitala. The Chitala species recently earned the classification of ‘near threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), emphasizing the need for conservation measures and ecological balance.
The Uttar Pradesh Fisheries Department has introduced various schemes to stimulate fish production within the state. One notable initiative is the Chief Minister Matsya Sampada Yojana, which has allocated grants totaling 8.5 crore to support 650 fish farmers to date. This program was established to provide financial support to fish farmers engaged in community ponds across villages.
This river ranching program represents a crucial step toward conserving the Chitala fish, promoting biodiversity, and enhancing the livelihoods of fish farmers in Uttar Pradesh.