CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION - Government of Himachal Pradesh

DESHP
Himachal Pradesh State Strategic Statistical Plan 151
on Satluj River has affected the fish production of the reservoirs. However,
scientific management of Gobind Sagar has resulted into increased fish
production. Strategy for Pong Dam has been worked out.
The department of Fisheries with its multi-pronged strategy has been able to
arrest the downfall in fish catches during the year 2008-09 when an increase
of 167.51 M.T. was registered.
Department has initiated no. of Welfare Schemes for Reservoir as well as
Riverine Fishermen in order to improve their living standard and made all efforts
to exploit these resources judiciously.
C. Aquaculture:
Trout fishery was established in Himachal Pradesh during 1909. Till 1980 the
focus of activities was limited to the production of some seed, its stocking in the
rivers and thereafter conservation of riverine stocks. The commercial production
of fish was a distant dream. The Indo-Norwegian Trout Farming Project in Kullu
valley paved the way for large scale production of trout. After the emulation of
this production technology the department disseminated it to the private sector.
The technology transferred proved viable and has been taken hand to hand by
private entrepreneurs. A massive programme for the remodeling/ expansion of
rearing space at other farms have been taken up in hand. Over 96 farmers are
engaged in trout farming in Kullu, Mandi, Chamba and Shimla districts.
Himachal has the distinction of being the first State which introduced Trout
Farming in Private Sector and over 50 tones of Trout is being produced &
sold by the Private farmers.
State has brought 1000 ha. of water area in the shape of village ponds & tanks
under Aquaculture.
Centrally sponsored scheme on 75:25 basis, the Fish Farmer’s Development
Agency programme is under implementation in the State. Returns from
aquaculture are manifold high than that of riverine/ reservoir fisheries because
smaller water bodies are easy to manage.