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Livelihood improvement of dam-affected tribal fishers of Manipur: ICAR-CIFRI’s initiatives

Guwahati, 5^th September, 2022
Under the Govt. of India’s Scheduled Tribe Component, ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute undertook reservoir fisheries production enhancement programme in a participatory mode involving the Department of Fisheries, Government of Manipur, Co-operative society of the reservoirs at 3 reservoirs viz Mapithel in Kamjong district, Khoupum in Noney district and Khuga in Churachandpur district of Manipur managed by the tribal community. The main objective of the programme was to improve the livelihood of the dam affected tribal community of the reservoirs through fisheries enhancement programme. The programme has initiated through the demonstration of pen culture technology for in situ raising of fish seed to be stocked in reservoirs. Installation of pen culture technology will enhance an additional 200 tonnes of fish production from these reservoirs. It is anticipated that the pen culture system of raising fingerlings would be a model with the participatory approach for inland fishers in amalgamation with economic enterprises such as NABARD and Banks and it will reduce the transportation mortality and non-availability of desired fingerlings, which is a major constraint to increase the reservoir fisheries production.

In this regard, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore has provided 2 numbers of CIFRI HDPE Pen, 2 tonnes of CIFRI CAGEGROW feed, 50,000 fish seed of Indian Major Carps to the selected societies of these reservoirs. The reservoir fisheries enhancement programme was inaugurated on 2nd September, 2022 at Khoupum reservoir under the leadership of Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI in the presence of Shri Aguilung Gangmei, Former Additional Director and District Fishery Officer, Tamenglong District, Shri Loveson Golmei, Fishery Inspector, DFO Tamenglong. Simultaneously, a mass awareness programme on reservoir fisheries management was also conducted with the participation of about 50 fishers of Khoupum valley. In continuation of the flagship programme, Shri Leishiyo Keishing, Hon’ble MLA of Phungyar AC initiated the pen culture in Mapithel reservoir, Kamjong District on 3rd September 2022 in the presence of Shri H. Balkrishna Singh, Director, Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Manipur, Shri Y. Nabachandra Singh, DFO Ukhrul and the village representatives and tribal fishers of Mapithel Reservoir. On this occasion, a mass awareness programme was also conducted at Ramrei village to raise the awareness among the fishers of reservoir fisheries management.

The programme was started with the stocking of Indian Major Carp seed (50,000 numbers) in the installed pens followed by the distribution of CIFRI CAGEGRROW Feed to the members the fisheries co-operative society. In the mass awareness programme, Ms. Thangjam Nirupada Chanu, Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI welcomed the participants and briefed the activities to be undertaken and also explained about the pen culture technology as well as reservoir fisheries management. Shri Leishiyo appreciated the initiatives of ICAR-CIFRI towards the open water fisheries development, he appealed to the fishers of the reservoir to be actively involved in the responsible fisheries management activities of the reservoir to contribute to the deficient fish production of the state.

He also appealed to the fishers to adapt to the new technologies of fisheries to achieve sustainable fisheries. Shri H. Balkrishna, Director, Dept. of Fisheries, addressed the gathering and appreciated the ICAR-CIFRI, explained various schemes and programmes related to the reservoir fisheries production enhancement. He also explained responsible fisheries management and how we can boost fish production in Manipur, urged the fishers to be self-aware and supportive to the activities of various Govt. departments. Shri Thanmi Kashung, Former ADC Loute-Riha DCC also addressed the fishers and urged them to be more responsible in fisheries management of Mapithel Reservoir. Shri Rockson Kashung, Fisherman Representative of Mapithel Reservoir proposed the vote of thanks of today’s programme and expressed his sincere gratitude to ICAR-CIFRI, MLA Phungyar AC, Dept. of Fisheries and all concerned departments.

The pen culture in Khuga reservoir was initiated by Shri Paolienlal Haokip, Hon’ble MLA, Saikot AC on 4th September 2022 in the presence of Shri E Rameswar Singh, DFO Churachandpur district, local representatives, and fishers with the stocking of IMC seed and distribution of CIFRI CAGEGROW fish feed. A mass awareness on the reservoir fisheries management was also successfully conducted with the participation of more than the 100 fishers of Kuga Reservoir. Shri Haokip expressed his gratitude towards ICAR-CIFRI for taking up such initiatives of reservoir fisheries enhancement which is an utmost requirement of the region for livelihood and nutritional security. The programme is coordinated by Ms. Thangjam Nirupada Chanu, Scientist, and Dr. Aparna Roy, Senior Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI under the supervision of Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore.