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Srinagar Jun 1 (UNI) Encourages by a record 19,000 tonnes of normal fish and 150 tonnes trout fish production in the state, Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to set up a ''fish mandi'' here.

Director of Fisheries T Angchok, Enumerating the achievements said the fish production in the state has touched to 19,000 tonnes and the department has earned revenue of Rs 2.11 crore during the previous fiscal.

He said the trout fish production has reached 150 tonnes and the department sold 60 tonnes earning revenue of Rs 27 lac during the same period.

Mr Angchok said the department stocked 6.00 lakh fingerlings in different streams of the valley including Kargil.

He said department has issued 13,200 licenses thereby realized Rs 6.60 lakh on this account.

He said 1,272 fish farms have been established in private sector in the state so far, adding that 77,000 fishermen population exist in the state.

The Director informed that department had brought 14,000 fishermen under insurance scheme, apart from this 1,224 houses were constructed for them so far.

In order to ensure effective administration in Dal Lake, the Director said the lake has been divided into four zones, Hazratbal, Tailbal, Nehrupark and Boulward.

He said 900 professional fishermen are operating in the lake for exploitation of its fisheries resources, in addition around 1,000 anglers enjoying fishing on the rim of the lake during summer season.

Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Abdul Aziz Zargar said a fish mandi' would be set up soon here with state- of- the-art facilities, including cold storage to maintain unified fish price line and boost the fish sector in the state.

He said a similar 'fish mandi' is at completion stage at Narwal, Jammu.

He said fisheries sector has vast business potential and appealed to the unemployed youth to come forward and set up fish farms in private sector, adding that department is providing all facilities including financial assistance and technical guidance for the purpose.

UNI BAS MYK PDT HT1410