International fish aquarium in Kashmir soon

Srinagar, May 7 : An international fish aquarium will soon be set up here to attract tourists to the world famous Dal Lake and the Mughal Gardens.

Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Abdul Aziz Zargar ordered the setting up of a modern fish aquarium of international standards at Nehru Park here last evening after inaugurating a special sale centre for rainbow trout fish.

This would promote Pisiculture besides provide an added tourist attraction in the vicinity of the Dal Lake and the Mughal Gardens.

Mr Zargar said the existing office accommodation of the Fisheries Department at Nehru Park would be shifted and the prime land under its occupation would be utilised for setting up the fish aquarium.

He was told that about 8000 kg of trout fish worth Rs 12 lakh had been sold at the Gagribal special sales outlet during last year while as its overall sale has touched Rs 62 lakh.

The overall production of fish, including carp, in the state has increased to 19,000 metric tonnes per year.

Mr Zargar was informed that with the launching of the second phase of the Kokernag trout fish farm, its annual production would increase from the existing 100 to 500 metric tonnes.

He was told that the Fisheries department has set up a Mahasheer Hatchery Project at Bela in Uri to rehabilitate Mahasheer fish, an endangered species, under captive breeding.

Reviewing Pisiculture in the private sector, the Minister was informed that 410 additional fish ponds, including 222 in Kashmir, would be set up in the state under the second phase of the Prime Minister's package.

About 249 fish ponds have already been set up in the state of which 188 are in Jammu division.

The Minister was told that a beneficiary is provided 100 per cent subsidy amounting to Rs 1.20 lakh for construction of a fish pond.

The identification of beneficiaries for the second phase of the programme has already started after the Centre released the amount required for implementation of the scheme.

Mr Zargar underscored the importance of ''blue revolution'' in stabilising the rural economy.

He called upon the officials concerned to mobilise all available resources to tap the vast potential of aquaculture fish farming in the state.

Jammu and Kashmir has special agro climatic condition and vast water bodies and rivers, the Minister added.

UNI