UP Govt joins hands with NBFGR to save endangered fish species Chitala & bolster fish farming

The state government has signed on the dotted line with National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) with an aim to bolster fish production in Uttar Pradesh and subsequently increase the income of fish farmers.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Department of Fisheries in UP and the NBFGR to save the fish species Chitala. The official state fish, Chitala Chitala, is endangered and on the verge of extinction.

Amidst ongoing efforts, numerous schemes have been implemented to assist in fish production in UP and support fishermen and farmers.

As part of the project, with an approx budget of ₹2 crore, the first cohort will see a preservation exercise in Faizabad's Ghaghra River, Yamuna in Agra and Ganga in Varanasi. Modernisation of fish framing has also been sought after, with Lucknow's Gomti Hatchery Fish Seed Production Centre in Bakkas being developed as an ultra-modern model hatchery.

Moreover, a high-breed boundary wall will be constructed, along with sheds and toilets outside the main hatchery. Besides, a pump house and tube wells have been set up. To establish convenience, renovation efforts have taken place in the supervisor's quarter, staff quarters and guesthouse store.

While the project for the second phase, with an approx budget of ₹6 crore, has been sent for the Centre's nod. Herein, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, training and demonstration centres will be established in five hatcheries, comprising the Gomti Hatchery-Lucknow, Sarayu Hatchery-Ayodhya, Triveni Hatchery-Prayagraj, Konch Hatchery-Jalaun and Parikshitgarh Hatchery-Meerut.

"ICAR-NBFGR signed a remarkable MoU to facilitate stocking of State-fish of Uttar Pradesh, Chitala chitala in the State’s rivers and Ompok bimaculatus as candidate species for farming in the State," NBFGR took to Twitter to announce.

Along with Chitala, rearing and conservation of the Pabda fish is also being carried out. It will also help in increasing the income of fish farmers. An agreement has been made with NBFGR, Lucknow for the same.