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Sensitization workshop on ‘Nutritional and Health Benefits of Fish Consumption’

19^th October, 2025
Dibrugarh district, Assam
ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore, Kolkata in collaboration with Brahmaputra Crackers and Polymers Limited (BCPL), Lepetkata, Dibrugarh conducted a sensitization workshop on ‘Nutritional and Health Benefits of Fish Consumption’ on 18th October, 2025 to bring about awareness on benefits of fish consumption in terms of human health and nutrition at Sukaphaa, Bavan, Borboruah, Dibrugarh, Assam. The day-long workshop was conducted under the research project titled ‘Nutritional profiling of fishes of Sessa River, Dibrugarh, Assam and sensitization on health benefits of fish consumption’ which is being funded by BCPL, Lepetkata, Dibrugarh under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund

. A total of 70 villagers residing in villages located in the banks of the Sessa River in Dibrugarh participated in the workshop. Dr. B.K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore; Dr. B.K. Bhattacharjya, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI Regional Centre, Guwahati; Er. Chandan Boruah, Nodal Officer, CSR Cell, BCPL, Dibrugarh and Mr. Dildar Neog, Chief Manager, BCPL were among the dignitaries present in the workshop. From ICAR-CIFRI, Dr. Simanku Borah, Scientist took active role in conducting the workshop. Dr. B.K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI in his address described the purpose of the workshop and gave a detailed overview on the advantages of fish consumption with reference to human health and nutrition. He stated that fish protein is easily digestible and does not pose any risk to human health which cannot be said for animal protein.He stated that presence of lower amount of saturated fat makes fish heart-healthy. Further, he stated that fish consumption lowers the risk of heart diseases, improves cardio-vascular health and the omega-3 fatty acids present in fish is very crucial for human health, particularly for brain development. He also stated that fish is a rich source of vitamins and minerals and improves bone health and vision. Dr. B.K. Bhattacharjya, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI gave a brief overview of the activities carried out and achievements under the project.

He stated that till date ICAR-CIFRI has carried out detailed nutritional profiling of 29 fish species of Sessa River and analysis of another 26 are going on. He stated that the Institute has analyzed the proximate composition (Protein, Fat, Moisture, Ash), mineral composition, fatty acid profile and amino acid profile of fishes of Sessa River. He stated that all the generated information along with important attributes of fishes of the river will be published in the form of a detailed report for the benefit of the people. Er. Chandan Boruah, Nodal Officer, CSR Cell, BCPL, Dibrugarh, stated that BCPL is committed for the development of people residing in the vicinity of the Sessa River in and around Lepetkata. He also highlighted the activities and developmental work carried out under CSR Fund of the organization and also gave a glimpse of the success of CSR initiatives of BCPL. Dr. Simanku Borah, Scientist of ICAR-CIFRI, who has been working on the fish diversity and ecology of the river stated that Sessa River harbors a rich fish diversity of 71 species and is the home to many rare species like Hemibagrus menoda. The workshop ended with the fishers of Sessa River thanking both the organizations for the initiative. Fishers of Sessa River expressed their satisfaction on the workshop and also highlighted their expectation that both BCPL and ICAR-CIFRI will collaborate and work for the development of the marginal fishers of the river.