Conclave to help identify gaps in fisheries

Shillong, Sept 11: Many experts pointed to the contradictions that despite having the wettest place within its geographical boundary on planet earth, Meghalaya has to import fishes from outside the state for its consumption.

Giving their opinions during the inauguration of the one day conclave at Hotel Pinewood Tuesday on “Aquaculture Development for the Stakeholders of Northeastern Region” organized by the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar Association of Aquaculturists, Bhubaneswar, National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad, Department of Fisheries, Meghalaya, experts felt that Meghalaya in particular and the other north eastern states have lot of potential for development of fisheries.

Saying that the north eastern region is rich in natural resources, including water bodies, but is still economically backward experts felt that development of fisheries in the region can lift the economy and also add up to the nation’s wealth.

Meghalaya chief secretary WMS Pariat, who was the chief guest during the inauguration; conceded that fisheries department in Meghalaya including others states were not given the importance that it deserved. He, however, said that this is changing now as the government realizes the potential fisheries hold for generation of wealth.

Pariat informed the gathering of experts and central and state government officials that fisheries in Meghalaya are “coming up very fast with the launching of the State Aquaculture Mission. He said the government has the intention of producing twenty-five thousand metric tonnes of fishes by the end of the 12^th plan. The project cost will be around Rs 1200 crore.

Additional chief secretary Barkos Warjri pointed to the lack of water conservation in the world wettest place, referring to Cherrapunjee, and said that ninety-eight percent of the rain water flows away to Bangladesh and Assam. He, however, said that when water was conserved, the people showed high degree of receptivity in rearing fish. He revealed that the worrying factor in some of the rivers is that fish cannot live because of the high degree of pollution caused by mining and garbage disposal.

Earlier, Meghalaya principal secretary (fisheries) KN Kumar said that the one day conclave will be of great help in identifying the gaps that has hampered the development of fisheries. He said the “top to down” learning during the conclave with many scientists taking part will help in identifying the gaps and also get over it.  – By Our Reporter