Breeding season on, fishing in Pong banned

Rajiv Mahajan

NURPUR, JUNE 16

Fishing in the Pong Dam reservoir in lower Kangra district was banned today for the next two month in view of fish breeding season. The ban which comes into effect every year from June 16 continues up to August 15.

Flying squad deployed

• Fisheries Department has deployed one flying squad and 18 patrolling teams to check illegal fishing
• A motor boat equipped with the latest techniques will also keep a vigil in the reservoir.
• As many as 24 outsourced workers, most of them fishermen, have been engaged for undertaking this patrolling.

As per information, the Fisheries Department has deployed one flying squad and 18 patrolling teams to check illegal fishing during the breeding season. Apart from this, a power motor boat equipped with the latest techniques will also keep a vigil on illegal fishing in the reservoir. The patrolling teams will have its makeshift camps surrounding the Pong reservoir area. The department has engaged 24 outsourced workers, most of them fishermen, for undertaking this patrolling. Over 2,000 fishermen through 17 fisheries societies are licence holders and earn their livelihood by fishing.

Sprawling over 24,000 hectares, the man-made water body, which is 42-km long and 19-km broad, is providing livelihood to nearly 2,800 fishermen. As per official information, the Pong reservoir is producing Singhara fish species which is around 60 per cent of the total fish production. It fetches the highest price among all species in the market. Apart from this, species of Rahu, Katla, Common Carpe and Mahasheer are also produced here which are in huge demand.

Sat Pal Mehta, Director, Fisheries Department, Bilaspur, said the department had planned to put fish seed worth Rs 40 lakh in the Pong reservoir in the current breeding season. Fish production this season was expected to be over 350 tons.

“During fish breeding season each fisherman will be paid Rs 4,500 for two month as off-season allowance-cum- compensatory financial relief in which the beneficiary will contribute Rs 1,500. The department is also providing free accidental insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh to every fisherman apart from providing quality fishing nets and boats at subsidized price to them,” he said.

The Fisheries Department imposes a blanket ban on fish catching every year in Gobind Sagar, Pong, Chamera and Kol Dam reservoir in the state. Fishing has also been banned in all rivers in HP for two months from today.