CIFRI Awards
ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore celebrated Ganga River Festival as ‘Ganga Utsav- 2021’ at multi locations (Barrackpore, Farakka and Prayagraj) in river Ganga under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) programme during 01-03 November, 2021.The NMCG, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India has put forward Ganga Utsav-2021 river festival with major objective with “Jan Bhagidari” in revival of Ganga with a focus on encouraging stake holder engagement and public participation. To mark this event at par with the river festivals of other developed countries, ICAR-CIFRI carried out series of activities during the three days programme.
On Day 1, the ‘Ganga Utsav’ started with a blissful ‘Ganga Aarti’ followed by river ranching programme at Prayagraj, Belur Math, and Farakka. At Belur Math, the programme was graced by Srimat Swami Atmapriyananda Ji Maharaj, Vice Chancellor of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, with fishermen and their cooperative society personnel. Dr. Basanta Kumar Das, Director, CIFRI and Principal Investigator of the project sensitized local fisher folks and highlighted the importance of Gangetic health required for sustaining fisheries, conservation of Hilsa and Dolphins. More than two lakhs captive bred indigenous wild fish germplasm of river Ganga (Rohu, Catla and Mrigal) seeds were released into the Ganga river at Belur Ghat. At Farakka, R. Azhagesan, General Manager of Farakka Barrage project (FBA), representative from Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) graced the occasion. Total 380 adult hilsa fish were ranched upstream of Farakka Barrage. The day was also celebrated at Prayagraj Regional Centre with oath Taking Ceremony as ‘Ganga Pratigya’. ICAR-CIFRI actively took part by uploading more than 250 members representing scientists, fishermen and local people photographs with hand written massage on river Ganga that they feel and express on the holy river Ganga on social media for Guinness Books of World Records. ICAR-CIFRI-NMCG tableau was also rolled down at various ghats for showcasing various project activities and creating awareness among fishermen.
On Day 2, the major activities were river ranching of small indigenous fish species cum mass awareness programme at different Ganga Ghats covering Barrackpore to Tribeni. A total of 40,000 fishes comprising of , Labeo bata (bata), Heteropneustes fossilis (singhi), Macrobrachium rosenbergii (giant river prawn), and Systomus sarana (sarana) were released to river Ganga. Similarly, at Farakka, mass awareness programme was also organized at nine places from Farkka to Rajmahal. More than 300 participants were sensitized on Ganga rejuvenation, Hilsa and Dolphin conservation at different places of West Bengal. The programme was organized following the Covid-19 protocol at different ghats with the distribution of masks and sanitizers. Active participation of around 300 people was noticed among all the sections of the society at different Ganga banks.
On Day 3, the Utsav was celebrated by conducting Ganga Quiz competition, Rangoli competition, and painting keeping theme on Ganga River ecology conservation. At Barackpore and Farakka, to mark the event as memorable and grant success, a cultural evening with a theme on River Ganga through open stage drama, dance and recitation were performed. More than 700 people at Barrackpore, Farakka and Praygraj witnessed the programme and appreciated it. Dr Nabrun Bhattacharya, Senior Director, C-DAC has graced the valedictory function and urged the fishermen to keep Ganga clean. The programme received support from Ganga Vichar Manch, District Ganga Samiti, Ganga Task Force, Forest department of Uttar Pradesh, Farakka Barrage Authority, Inland Waterways Authority of India and electronic media and all India radio.
Updated on 05/11/2021
