MADURAI : Fisheries Minister Gabriel D. Wangsu has asked the centre to consider separate policy and schemes for the Himalayan states saying that the needs and topography in these states are completely different from the rest of India. The centre also may like to revisit and revise the unit cost of all construction works considering the high cost index and remoteness, he added.

The minister was addressing the Fisheries Summer Meet, 2024 at Madurai in Tamil Nadu on Friday which was attended by Union Minister for Fisheries Dr. Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Ministers of State Dr. SP Baghel and George Kurien besides Fisheries ministers from various states, top officials from the Govt of India and state governments/UTs.

Stating that Arunachal Pradesh is one of the pioneer states in cold water fisheries in the entire North Eastern India, Wangsu demanded a substation of Directorate of Coldwater Fish Research to fulfill the need for proper R&D facilities for documentation of breeding and culture protocol of these species of fishes available in the state.

“Arunachal Pradesh is a power house of the country and more and more hydropower stations are coming up, thereby creating large water bodies which can be judiciously exploited for fish production in mass scale”, the minister said while seeking a comprehensive technology package for its integrated development and management with adequate financial support.

Addressing the day-long function he also sought mapping of resources employing geospatial techniques for preparing resource inventory and optimum utilization, and one time grant for strengthening, and up-gradation of existing seed producing infrastructure of both cold and warm water calibrating to its optimum capacity so as to overcome recurring shortage of quality seed in desired quantity.

“In-situ conservation of indigenous germplasm of fish species is a big challenge because of heightened anthropogenic activities, habitat degradation and destruction coupled with adverse effect of climate change. Our open water systems are fast dwindling and are on the verge of extinction”, the minister pointed out and advocated for a comprehensive package with adequate financial support for propagation and mass awareness to save these precious wealth.

“Since working period is limited because of long rainy season, rationalization of subsidy from the current four instalments to two equal instalments against all schemes shall definitely expedite perfect implementation of the schemes and timely utilization of fund”, he observed. He further requested the Centre for extension of PMMSY scheme for another 2 years with additional fund and launch new scheme to compensate against for the loss caused due to delinking fisheries from RKVY scheme.

Impressed by the short video on the Integrated Aqua Park of Ziro screened at the Summer Meet, the Union Minister RR Singh expressed his desire to visit Arunachal Pradesh and personally take stock of all fishery related developments in the state. While summarizing today’s proceedings Singh assured all out support to the states in addressing respective concerns and make India a prominent nation in fishery sector.

The Joint Secretary in the ministry Sagar Mehra, later addressing the meet informed that, the ministry would initiate for making payments against central schemes in 2 instalments instead of four. Revision of unit cost of all constructions in the Himalayan states too would be considered in new central scheme, he observed and informed that proposals for brood banks and hatcheries from states would be attended to with due diligence.

Report quoting sources in the Fishery Ministry said senior officials at the Centre have taken note of the issues raised by the Arunachal Minister and that the Centre would address these concerns in coming days.