An awareness programme on ‘Fisheries enhancements in derelict waterbodies for tribal
farmers of Goalpara district, Assam’ was organized by ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries
Research Institute, Regional Centre, Guwahati in collaboration with Rubber Board, Zonal
Office, Guwahati at Daranggiri, Dudhnoi under TSP programme of ICAR-CIFRI on March
28, 2018. The programme was organized under the overall guidance of Dr. B. K. Das,
Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore with an objective of enhancing fish production in
derelict waterbodies lying unutilized within rubber production areas of Goalpara district,
Assam.
Dr. B. K. Bhattacharjya, Head, ICAR-CIFRI Regional Centre, Guwahati briefly
explained ICAR-CIFRI’s activities in the region with special emphasis on fisheries
enhancement in different open waterbodies of Assam. Shri S. Selvaraj (Rubber Board) urged
the rubber producers having small waterbodies with them for judicious utilization of the
resources which can improve their income and livelihoods. Dr. U. K. Baruah, Senior
Scientist, KVK- Dudhnoi explained about the importance of integrated farming system. He
stated that the seed of rubber plants can be a source of valuable nutrients in fish feeds and as
manure. Mrs. Urmi Medhi, ACS, Dudhnoi Revenue Circle lauded the efforts taken by ICAR-
CIFRI for creation of awareness among potential and practicing tribal (Rabha, Bodo and
Garo) fish farmers of the district.
The technical session started with a brief presentation from Dr. B. K. Bhattacharjya
on different options for fisheries enhancements suitable for different waterbodies of the
region. Dr. B. Kalita, Fishery Development Officer, explained important aspects of
pisciculture including pond preparation, stocking, feeding and water quality management. Dr.
Pronob Das explained about the prospects of enclosure culture and stock enhancement in
floodplain wetlands of Assam. He also highlighted the importance of fish health management
in aquaculture. Dr. D. Debnath, gave a brief presentation on importance of fish feeds and
feeding methods in aquaculture.
In the interactive session, participants (more than 100) raised various issues related to
conservation of indigenous stocks and beel fisheries resources, of non-availability of quality
fish seed and drag nets, and problems of undertaking fish farming in derelict waterbodies,
which were answered by the scientists and fishery officers. Smt. Sheeja, Development
Officer, Rubber Board Regional Office, Agia proposed the vote of thanks.