ICAR-CIFRI Organizes Workshop on Fish Conservation, Ranching in River Ganga Under National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) Project

The ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) in Barrackpore recently hosted a one-day concluding workshop on September 27, 2023. The workshop focused on the "Stakeholders, Consultation cum Consultative Workshop on Fish Conservation and Ranching in River Ganga" and was aimed at evaluating the achievements of a three-year project funded by NMCG under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.

Dr. Basanta Kumar Das, Director of ICAR-CIFRI and Principal Investigator for NMCG, highlighted the mission to replenish fish populations through ICAR-CIFRI's efforts. They released over 65 lakh fish fingerlings in five states from 2020 to 2023, resulting in increased fish catches in the Ganga River. The project also conducted 140 awareness programs involving 10,000 fishermen to promote aquatic biodiversity conservation and fish habitat restoration. Additionally, it successfully produced 227 lakh Indian Major Carp seeds, inspiring the government to launch similar river ranching programs nationwide.

Dr. Sandeep Behera, Consultant - Biodiversity at NMCG, commended ICAR-CIFRI's efforts to boost fish production and safeguard the native fish species of the Ganga River through ranching programs in various depleted areas. He noted that the project had achieved significant milestones over the years, and its positive outcomes were evident.

The workshop also featured twelve local fishermen who shared their appreciation for ICAR-CIFRI and discussed how the project had positively impacted their livelihoods. They expressed concerns about the use of zero mesh fishing nets and the widespread use of poisons for fishing in the Ganga River.

Experts from West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, BOBP, WII, Dept of Fisheries (West Bengal), scientists from ICAR-CIFE and ICAR-CIFRI, and research scholars participated in the workshop. They shared their insights on various aspects of the project and emphasized the importance of such research in generating valuable data for studying the biodiversity of Indian rivers, understanding ecosystem functions, and preserving the ecological integrity of these rivers. They all recognized the significance of such interventions in addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).