The ICAR-CIFRI is organizing these activities in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal to promote holistic fisheries development in the Ganga River basin. With a focus on sustainability and conservation, the institute is dedicated to making this anniversary a memorable occasion by engaging with local communities and stakeholders through awareness campaigns and events.
As a part of the ongoing Namami Gange initiative, a river ranching event took place on April 25th, 2023 in Farakka, Murshidabad. The event, which was organized under the flagship Namami Gange initiative, saw the participation of several appointed officers and local fishermen from the district. During the event, a total of 2.0 lakh fish juveniles, weighing over 10 grams each, belonging to Indian Major Carps such as Rohu, Catla, Mrigal, and Calbasu, were ranched in the river Ganga.
Following the river ranching event, a mass awareness campaign was conducted, involving over 71 local fishers who are actively involved with the Ganga River. They were educated about the importance of river conservation and its impact on the future. Dr. Basanta Kumar Das, Director of CIFRI and PI NMCG, highlighted the significance of ranching as a conservation measure and the benefits it brings to fish populations. Dr. Das also spoke to the audience about the vital role of the Ganga River in our daily lives as a mother river.
The campaign saw active participation from various segments of society, including local fishermen, at multiple locations along the banks of the Ganga River. The public was made aware of the declining fish stock in the Ganga River, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to protect this precious natural resource. This awareness campaign aimed to sensitize the local community about the importance of sustainable fisheries management and the role they can play in safeguarding the health and well-being of the Ganga River ecosystem.
R.D. Deshpande, General Manager of FBP; Satish S., GM of NTPC; and Sanjay Kumar Mishra, District Fisheries Officer, came together to emphasize the benefits of river ranching and educate local fishermen about the issue of Ganga river pollution. Dr. Deepak Nayek, a representative from KVK, enlightened local fishers on the importance of conserving the indigenous fish species of the Ganga River and discouraged the use of destructive fishing methods such as mosquito nets and river water poisoning.
Dr. Amiya Kumar Sahoo, a senior scientist at ICAR-CIFRI, stressed the need for collaborative efforts among various organizations to clean up and restore the diversity of Mother Ganga. He also highlighted the significance of addressing antibiotic resistance in aquaculture and fisheries, advocating for sustainable practices in the industry. The collective efforts of these experts aimed to raise awareness and promote conservation measures for the Ganga River and its precious fish resources.
