Around 70,000 fish fingerlings were released in different historic ponds in the valley districts by All Manipur United Club Organisation (AMUCO) in coordination with the state Fishery department on Sunday in connection with the month-long commemoration of Hijam Irabot’s birth anniversary.
On the occasion, AMUCO president Nando Luwang told the media that AMUCO in coordination with the Fishery department are releasing the fish fingerlings into 100 ponds, especially the historic ponds of different districts of the valley.
The fish fingerlings were released first at Kekru pat pond and Ningthem Pukhri and more such release will be carried out at other ponds, he said.
As the people of the state mostly eat fish, producing them is highly important so that the public may not depend on the imported ones, he mentioned. AMUCO has been organising different camps such on becoming plastic free, medical, and social service, he added.
Fishery Department director Heisnam Balkrisna said that fish production should be increased in the state as crores are spent on buying fish from other states every year.
Fish being one of the most common food items consumed by almost every household across the state, its demand is high, he said. The state’s requirement of fish per year is 56,000 metric tons but it is able to produce only 36,000 metric tons per year, he added.
“The state will not depend on others if we can capture its potential resources,” he said. The fish fingerings are released to increase production from our own ponds in the state in connection with the observance of month-long Irabot day, he said.
Five species of fish fingerings, including Indian Major Carp (IMC) namely Rou, Catla, Mrigal, Silver Carp were released, he added.
