Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 13 2009:
One lakh pengba fingerlings had been released in the lakes and rivers of the state today.
Fish farmer, Thounaojam Doren of Uchiwa Wangma Taba, Imphal west released the fish to mark a tribute to his late father.
Pengba, one of the rare but favourite local delicacies of indigenous fishes of state once fear of extinction was again appear with state fisheries department made seeds of Pengba and breed with artificial induction technique in 2006 and make seeds available to the fish farmers for culture in their farms ponds and tanks.
In an interaction with the 50-year old fish farmer Doren said, he takes up the step with a view to help in stock-replenish of the rare delicious indigenous fish.
The fish is one of the most favourite fishes of his late father, Khomdon.
Doren has started engaging in the fish farming 23 year back in 1986 .
He started his farm with only one sangam of paddy field without any assistant from government or any other funding agencies.
But now, he had expanded his farm to one pari (four sangam) of land and earned from Rs 1.50 lakh to 2 lakh in a year.
With the income he can run his family easily, Doren said.
Illiterate Doren said he did not obtained any kinds of training for artificial fish breeding or for rearing fish.
With regard to release of the pengba in the lakes, rivers and ponds today, he said, he is doing with a view to help in stock-replenish of the fish in the water bodies of the state at least to some extend and to make available in plenty to the people of the state which he late father also wanted.
Today's release of pengba in the water bodies was the second time which he released in the water bodies of the state.
He is also planning to do the same in the next year also, Doren observed.
MLA, Sapam Kunjeshwor who received the fish farmer when he came to release the pengba at a public pond at Tera in Imphal also lauded the step taken up by the farmer as the kind of fish is very delicious one which every people wanted.
He also appealed the people extend support to the effort of Doren and help in making available the fish in plenty.
With co-operation from All Manipur Angling Association, Sagolband Moirang Leirak, Youth Social Welfare Association, Uchiwa organized the release of pengba.
The fish was released at the Sayang Pukhri, Tera Pukhri, fisheries pond at Sanjentohng, Ninthem Pukhri, Kongba Dhobi Pukhri, Moirang Thangjing Lai Pukhri, Loukoipat, Loktak lake, Takmu Eco pat, Wabagai Lamkhai Mayenbam pukhri and Imphal river.