Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 10 2009:
As done in other parts of the country, Fish Farmers' Day was observed in the state too with a function organised by the state Department of Fisheries at the office complex of the Imphal West District Fisheries today.
Minister of Fisheries, MOBC, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Md Allauddin, who graced the function as chief guest, said that one of the main reasons behind the fall in the production of fish in the state is the diminishing wetland.
Around 100 natural lakes have vanished in the state as these lakes had been converted into paddy fields.
The fish farm run by the Fisheries Department is also very few now.
Loktak lake is the only main fishing ground in the state which worth to mention, he added.
With these factors behind, the state is now depending on fish imported from outside the state, he added.
Md Allauddin also opened a fresh water prawn hatchery on the occasion.
The hatchery is targeting to supply prawn to around 100 fish farmers.
The minister also said that this hatchery will able to mend up prawn supply to the people at least to some extend.
The fishermen day celebration function was also attended by MLA M Prithivraj, Secretary (Fisheries) RK Sukumar, director of fisheries, K Sharatkumar and senior scientist from CIFI, Mumbai, AK Reddy as president and guest of honours respectively.
MLA, Prithivraj, speaking on the occasion said that if fishermen tried its best, state can produce self sufficient fish.
A book entitled, "Anouba Ngayok Pathap" was also released by the minister on the occasion apart from distributing prizes to the position holders of state level fish crop competition, 2008 .
Soibam Dhanabir of Ningombam got the first prize (Rs 15,000 in cash), second prize (Rs 10,000) went to Paonam Nilamani of Hiyanglum and the third prize (Rs 7,000) handed to Livestock Rearing Fish Farm and Loktak Lake Development Co-operative
Society.