With a likely fish production level of over 1400 metric tonnes valued over eight crores, Gobind Sagar reservoir, situated in Bilaspur area of Himachal Pradesh is witnessing record fish production during the current year bringing enhanced income and cheers to 2500 fishermen belonging to 30 fishermen co-operative societies.
Disclosing this Principal Secretary, Fisheries Mr. Tarun Shridhar said that this year production output in state’s fish basket was of crucial importance as only three years back during 2011-2012, the fisheries from this major water body had plummeted to rock bottom level of 620 tonnes– less than half than the present production.
Mr. Shridhar said that happy turn-around in production level was attributed not only to the series of management and development efforts undertaken by the Department but also the meticulous and intensive fishing efforts made by the fishermen community.
Collaterally, strict conservation and patrolling was carried out throughout the year in general and close-season period particularly. The regular fishermen training programmes were also re-oriented and made need specific. All these efforts borne fruit in resulting spurt in fish production and virtually, doubling of fishermen average monthly incomes.
Pertinently, it may be mentioned that among the large reservoirs of the country, the Gobind sagar reservoir is consistently maintaining highest per hectare production level in the country for over last three decades.
Principal Secretary also said that the department was fully optimistic in achieving the said target in the coming years.
