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Mayapur River Ranching: Sustaining Livelihoods and Biodiversity

16 th May, 2025
In accordance with the National Ranching Mission III, ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute in Barrackpore executed a river ranching initiative under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) at Prabhupada Ghat, Mayapur, West Bengal, on 16 May 2025, marking a substantial advancement in sustainable fisheries and the conservation of riverine biodiversity. The primary aim of river ranching is to restore the diminished fish populations of the river, augment fisheries resources for local communities, and foster ecological equilibrium in the Ganga river system.

This initiative corresponds with ICAR-CIFRI's continuous objective to guarantee the sustainable management of inland open waters. As of present, ICAR-CIFRI has distributed about 162 lakhs fish fingerlings of Indian Major Carps (Rohu, Catla, and Mrigal) at various locations nationwide. This extensive fingerling discharge is part of other equivalent initiatives occurring along different segments of the river to foster sustainable fishing.

The event marked the release of 2.54 lakh fingerlings of Indian Major Carps into the river Ganga. The program was graced by Shree Nandan Prabhu ji, representative from ISKCON, Mayapur, and also attended by 26 local fishers including women fishers, who actively participated in the ranching activities. The initiative was led by Dr. Basanta Kumar Das, Director of ICAR-CIFRI and PI of the NMCG project, along with Dr. Mitesh Ramteke, Dr. Canciyal Johnson, and other dedicated members of the NMCG project team. Alongside the ranching event, an awareness initiative was implemented to educate the local fishing community on the significance of preserving Hilsa, Dolphin, and Gangetic fish species. Emphasis was placed on safeguarding endangered species and mitigating unsustainable fishing techniques to preserve the integrity of the aquatic ecosystem. The session highlighted the detrimental effects of unsustainable fishing, overfishing, and pollution on the Ganga's fragile environment. Fishers were encouraged to implement sustainable fishing tactics, avoid detrimental equipment, and adhere to closed-season fishing prohibitions to facilitate natural breeding cycles.
These initiatives not only sustain the livelihoods of fishers but also advance the overarching objectives of river restoration and biodiversity preservation. ICAR-CIFRI remains crucial in the restoration of fish populations by scientific interventions and community involvement.