Manipur conducts river ranching programme in seven districts

Imphal: For the first time, the Directorate of Fisheries, Manipur has taken up a River Ranching programme in 12 major rivers in seven districts of Manipur by liberating Indian Major carp (Rohu, Mrigal and Catla) and indigenous fish species (Pengba, Ngaton and Khabak).

The programme was taken under the sponsorship of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad which is a component of the PMMSY scheme at the following rivers namely, Imphal, Nambul, Thoubal, Nambol, Barak, Chakpi, Iril, Irang, Makru, Khuga, Maha and Sekmai

River Ranching is conducted to address the depleted fish stocks in rivers and improve of livelihood of fishers of the state.

The first ranching commenced on July 20, 2024, in the Imphal and Nambul Rivers in the Imphal East and Imphal West districts.

Local MLA of Chandel Assembly Constituency, SS. Olish conducted the river ranching programme at Chakpi river on July 21 in the presence of District Level Officers and tribal chiefs of various hill villages.

In Ukhrul District, IMC and indigenous fish species have been liberated in Thoubal River originated from Ukhrul District on July 24.

A similar programme was also organised at the Barak and Senapati rivers in the Senapati district and Khuga rivers in Churachandpur district on July 25 respectively.

As of date, more than 10 lakh fish fingerlings have been liberated.

Speaking about the programme, State Fisheries Director, H. Balkrisna Singh said that the target for river ranching is about 30 lakh fingerlings and is being continued in major rivers located in Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Chandel and Tamenglong districts and culminate by the end of July 2024.