Morung Express News
Mokokchung | April 25
In a boost to Nagaland pisciculture industry, a Mahseer Hatchery Unit was inaugurated at the Suteplenden Multipurpose Farm (SMF) at Longkong village by Minister for PWD, Tongpang Ozukum in presence of senior officers, scientists from ICAR-DCFR and high officials from the Nagaland state department of Fishery and others.
The Mahseer Hatchery Unit at the Suteplenden Multipurpose Farm (SMF) has been initiated by the Nagaland state Fishery department in collaboration with ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fishery Research (DCFR) Bhimtal, Uttarakhand.
The project, a first of its kind in the state, is said to have been set up at the cost of Rs 15 lakhs aiming to propagate and to replenish the dwindling number of the species in the major rivers in the state.
Minister for PWD, Tongpang Ozukum, who was the special invitee (and who is also the peoples’ representative from the area), congratulated the sponsoring agency and the state Fishery department for coming up with such a significant project to preserve one of the most popular and endemic food fish and sport fish in the state.
While highly appreciating the fishery department setting up the hatchery unit, Tongpang expressed deep concern over the use of unscientific fishing methods through use of chemicals etc. In this regard, he said that the people should take the Mahseer (or the wildlife) as a gift from God and to take responsibility for conserving and preserving it in a sustainable manner. He expressed hope that with the setting up of a Mahseer hatching centre the dwindling numbers of the species would be replenished and at the same time encouraged the fishery department to create more awareness and educate the people on conservation.
While expressing hope for the hatchery unit to be nurtured and upgraded by the concerned department for the benefit of the whole state, Tongpang expressed appreciation to the proprietor of the Suteplenden Multi Farm, Imnutoshi and asked the department to extent all possible help.
Director ICAR-DCFR Bhimtal, Dr. Debajit Sarma, Dr. R.S Haldar Nodal Officer, ICAR-DCFR and Dr. Sudhir RAIZADA ADG (Inland Fishery) who also spoke at the function shared their happiness over the success of the project and said that they are always looking forward to undertake such projects for the benefit of the people of Nagaland. Dr. Sudhir Raizada who was the Guest of Honour at the inaugural function said ICAR-DCFR has taken up another Trout hatchery project at Dzülaki in Kohima district.
The inaugural function was chaired by Secretary, Department of Fishery, T. Mhabemo Yanthan while vote of thanks was proposed by Kevisa Kense, Director Fishery.
(With inputs from DPRO, Mokokchung)
