Shimla, Feb 16 (IANS): To promote production of exotic rainbow trout in Himachal Pradesh, the government has provided financial and technical aid to set up 100 trout units in the private sector.
The state is making concerted efforts to bring about a 'blue revolution' by encouraging youth to take to fish farming as self-employment, a government spokesperson told IANS.
With the provision of financial support and technical knowledge, more and more people are coming forward to adopt fish farming.
In the past two years, 16,818 tonnes of fish worth over Rs.1.3 billion were produced in the state along with 490.74 tonnes of trout fish, both in the government and private farms.
Following the success of rainbow trout farming technique, 100 trout units have been installed in the private sector.
Trout, both brown and rainbow, are found in the Beas, Sutlej and Ravi rivers in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh.
Being a game fish, the brown trout is also an angler's delight.
As per government figures, the fishery has provided full-time self-employment to 5,238 fishermen in major reservoirs, which includes 2,652 in Govind Sagar, 2,479 in Pong Dam, 74 in Chamera and 33 in Maharaja Ranjeet Sagar.
To engage youth in fisheries activities, various schemes are being implemented.
A financial assistance of Rs.100,000 is given to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries to construct a pond of one hectare. Others get Rs.80,000.
The fisheries department is providing support services through its 12 fish seed farms. Of these, six are trout farms and the other six are carp farms.
The major fish species available in the streams of the state are trout, mahseer, barilus and glyptothorax.
Two new species -- Hungarian common carp and Amoor common carp -- have been imported.
Himachal Pradesh with its five rivers, numerous streams and reservoirs has a big potential for fish production, say experts.
Of the 3,000-km network of fisheries' water resources, 600 km of cold water streams are conducive for trout farming.
The average annual production of a small fish farm is 900 kg, whereas a large farm could produce up to 3,400 kg, said a study by the Shimla-based Himachal Pradesh University's Agro-Economic Research Centre.