Fisheries team inspects under construction fish tanks

GANGTOK, 26 Sept [IPR]: The Directorate of Fisheries had provided financial assistance of Rs. 30,000 each to fish farmers under Running Water Fish Culture (RWFC) funded through NFDB and State Plan.  The first installment of Rs. 15,000 was released in April 2013 and the second installment is to be released after construction of the fish tank by the beneficiaries.
In order to have an on-the-spot assessment of the progress on construction of fish tank, Secretary, AHLF&VS, DP Sharma accompanied by Addl.Director-II Fisheries, IP Chettri, Fisheries Block Officer, DB Chettri and Fisheries Guard, Durga Nepal inspected the tanks constructed by the farmers. The inspection was carried out at Lower Luing [Thami dara], Lower Berbing, Lower Lingdum, Upper Lingdum, Mindu,   Ray, Rumtek, Martam, Masa [Nazitam], Beng Khambong and Sirwani Chalamtam / Pegu Lakha.
The team from the Directorate of Fisheries met each and every beneficiary and expressed their satisfaction over the construction of the fish tanks.  All tanks are stocked with fish seed and fish have grown to fingerling size. Within the next 6 months there will be a good production of Carp fish from the above areas. The Secretary, AHLF&VS has expressed his satisfaction and happiness on the progress in field and congratulated the field officers and staff of East District for their sincere, devoted and hard work.
The effort of the Directorate of Fisheries is to bring local fish in the commercial centers throughout the State.

Lall Bazaar Fish Market to get a Rs. 45 lakh revamp

GANGTOK, 19 Jan: A more hygienic and modern Domestic Fish Market with all required facilities is slated to come up at the existing Fish Market at Lall Bazaar soon. Costing a total of Rs 45 lakh, of which 90% has been provided by the National Fisheries Development Board [NFDB] and the rest by the State, the project will be executed by the UD&HD.
Speaking to NOW! today, the Deputy Director, Directorate of Fisheries, RP Sharma, informed that this market will be a highly hygienic one with proper cold storage facilities and other required facilities.
He informed that the market will have a temperature control facility where fish can be kept for around 15 days in ‘fresh’ condition. The market will have eight stalls. He further added that the project will be executed by the UD&HD and the Fisheries Directorate has already transferred the funds to the UD&HD to start the project.
He also informed that experts from NFDB and other agencies have consulted with the UD&HD for the project.
Mr. Sharma stated that the department has been trying to encourage local fishermen by giving priority and facilities in different fields and through different programmes.
The Deputy Director also pointed out that fish has a huge market in the state with a demand of 1,100 metric tonnes per year, so it is a good option in income generation for locals here.
He also spoke on the different initiatives of the Directorate towards encouraging fisheries in the state. License is issued to fishermen at a nominal fee of Rs 100 for 12 months for Rod and Line and Rs 150 for 12 months for cast net.
To encourage such fishermen who have been continually renewing their licenses to earn their livelihood through fishing, the Directorate has identified 40 such progressive fishermen who will be provided with Rs. 50,000 each under the Fishermen Welfare Scheme for constructing their houses. The houses will cost Rs 1 Lakh each, wherein the remaining Rs 50,000 has to be contributed by the fisherman.
Another public-oriented scheme run by the State is the provision of financial assistance for constructing a fish pond of 100 sq mtr in area and 1 mtr in depth with 500 fish seedlings. This project costs Rs 60,000, in which the state provides Rs 30,000 while the rest of the amount has to be met by the beneficiary.
Mr. Sharma mentioned that this kind of project has high production levels, which produces at least 200 kg of fish per pond every year and it has been doing well in different parts of the state. It gives good returns to the beneficiaries at a low cost and involving less labour, he added.

2,000 fish released into Tingchim lake to boost fish farming

MANGAN, 30 May: District Collector (North), TN Kazi, accompanied by officers of the Department of Fisheries, Asst. Director Nagendra Dhakal, RO Namgay Bhutia, Resource Assistant [Kabi], Baldev Sharma, coordinated by Zilla member, Zomin Limboo, TVDC general secretary, Karma Dawa Bhutia visited Tingchim village in Dzongu and inspected the lake there while also interacting with farmers in the BPL category.
On the occasion, the Department of Fisheries handed over 2,000 live fish for release into the lake with the suggestion that the villagers opt for fish farming in the area.
The DC also informed families in the BPL category still living in kutcha houses of the CM’s Housing scheme underway and of how more fisher-farm tanks will be provided to farmers here. The villagers of Tingchim are also the caretakers of the lake.