Fishing ban in Pong Dam reservoir ends

Our Correspondent

Nurpur, August 1

The state Fisheries Department today lifted the ban on catching fish in the Pong Dam reservoir on the foothills of the Kangra valley.

The ban had been imposed for two months starting June 1 due to the breeding season of fish in the reservoir.

The reservoir fish will be available in the market for its consumers from today. Sprawling over around 24,000 hectares, this man-made water body is 42-km-long and 19-km broad.

According to information, 15 fisheries societies having around 2,480 fishermen as members, registered by the Fisheries Department, are not allowed to carry out fishing activities in the breeding season, which means two months. Besides, the department also imposes ban on fish catching in all rivers, khuds and streams during this season across the state.

The department gives an assistance of Rs 1,800 to every licence holder fisherman for the non-fishing season every year. Last year, 473 tonnes of fish had been produced in this reservoir and the department is expecting an enhanced production in this year. Rahu, Katlam, Mahasheer, Singara, Mali,Kulbansh and Rogal species of fish are being produced in this reservoir.

Gurcharan Singh, Director, Fisheries Department, said 67 lakh of fish feed had been put in this reservoir to increase fish production this year.

The department had recently released Rs 1,800 to each fisherman as assistance for not carrying out fishing.

“The amount is contributed jointly by the state and Central governments and the beneficiary,” he said.