SHIMLA---Fish culture is fast emerging as a potential sector for providing food security to the ever-growing population as well as vocation for the rural unemployed youths, especially the hill inhabitants residing in the riparian areas of lakes, rivers and streams. The State Government has strengthened fisheries sector to make it a useful instrument of economic growth as also for promotion of tourism through angling of world-famous trout and mahseer. A number of developmental and welfare schemes have been launched for providing assistance to rural poor & unemployed youth for taking up fish culture.
Himachal Pradesh has taken a lead both in ‘trout farming’ and ‘reservoir fisheries’. While the State’s reservoirs are consistently maintaining unique distinction of highest per hectare production for over two decades, successful ‘trout farming’ has made a history of its kind in the country. During the year 2007-08 to 2009-10, 22981.47 tones of fish worth Rs. 11,811 lakh was produced from the State’s water resources. During 2007-08 to 2009-10, 44.19 tonnes of trout fish was produced from the departmental trout fish farms and Rs. 211.74 lakh were earned as revenue.
Extension of commercial trout farming was given it due priority and a scheme for assistance to farmers initiated. 100 units have been set up in the state and Rs. 55 lakh provided as assistance. During 2007-08 to 2009-10, the department of Fisheries provided whole time employment to 3558 fishermen working in main reservoirs of the State viz. Gobind Sagar 1660, Pong Dam 1810, Chamera 88. During 2007-08 to 2009-10, 3977.34 tones of fish worth Rs. 20.60 crore was produced from these reservoirs thus strengthened the economic status of the fishermen.
Fishing in the big reservoirs is a hazardous job. There is every risk of life during heavy rains and storms. Keeping this in view all active fishermen working in the reservoirs have been insured for Rs. 50,000 in case of permanent disability and Rs. 1,00,000/- in case of death. The insurance premium of Rs. 30/- is being shared by the Government of India and Government of Himachal Pradesh in the ratio 50:50. During the year 2010-11 insurance cover to 7118 active fishermen has been proposed to be provided at a cost of Rs. 2.14 lakh.
To mitigate the losses to the fishermen to certain extent, a ‘Fishermen Relief Fund Scheme’ has been formulated in the State. Under this scheme, each reservoir fishermen contributes Rs. 20/- annually, to be collected from him at the beginning of the year while issuing the licenses. The State Government contributes an amount equal to the total contribution of the fishermen. The assistance from this fund to the fishermen is given only on loss of gill nets, wooden boats, and tents.
In order to ensure sustained yield of fish from the reservoirs apart, fishing “Close Season” of two months from 1st June to 31st July has been enforced. This measure has helped in building up fisheries of considerable magnitude. Himachal Pradesh is the first State in the country to introduce a ‘Contributory Saving-cum-Relief Scheme’ to its reservoirs fishermen. Under this scheme each fishermen who is member of the co-operative society deposits Rs. 400/- for ten consecutive fishing months from August to May. An amount of Rs. 400/- is contributed by the Central and State Government respectively. The total amount of Rs. 1200/- thus, raised is distributed to the fishermen in two installments during the ‘Close Season’. During the year 2010-11, 3038 active fishermen of reservoirs have been extended benefits to the tune of Rs. 24.30 lacs under the scheme and cent percent target has been achieved.
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