Manipur Governor inaugurates Mahseer hatchery at Canchipur
Manipur Governor inaugurates Mahseer hatchery at Canchipur
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Monday inaugurated the newly-developed Mahseer hatchery and Freshwater Ichthyology and Sustainable Aquaculture (FISA) laboratory at Manipur University
Ajay Kumar Bhalla and others during the inauguration of
Mahseer hatchery at Canchipur, Imphal East, on Monday.
IMPHAL — Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on
Monday inaugurated the newly-developed Mahseer hatchery and Freshwater
Ichthyology and Sustainable Aquaculture (FISA) laboratory at Manipur
University’s Zoology department, Canchipur campus, on the outskirts of Imphal.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Central
Institute of Coldwater Fisheries Research (CICFR), Bhimtal, Uttarakhand and
Manipur University, jointly developed the laboratory.
Addressing the inaugural function, the governor said fish
has always been an integral part of Manipur culture, and that strengthening the
fisheries sector is crucial for the state’s economic growth.
Manipur, with its abundant water bodies such as ponds,
rivers, lakes and reservoirs, has immense potential to develop a prosperous
fisheries industry, Bhalla said.
Considering the nutritious value of the state fish - Pengba,
he said, “Make Manipur unique for these items.”
Stating that innovative approaches like the Mahseer hatchery
can significantly boost fish production, ensuring self-sufficiency, he opined
that this will not only help the local fish farmers but also cut down
substantial costs incurred in procuring fish from outside the state.
Citing central government schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri
Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to support fisheries development, he appealed to
the concerned parties “to collaborate and innovate” for the economic prosperity
of the state, as such initiatives aim to foster growth in the fisheries sector,
aligning with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Later, sharing photographs of the day’s inaugural function
on X, Raj Bhavan, Manipur, wrote, “Strengthening fisheries, empowering Manipur!
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla inaugurated the Mahseer Hatchery & FISA Lab at
Manipur University, developed with ICAR-CICFR, Bhimtal. This initiative boosts
fish production, supports local farmers, and reduces reliance on imports.”
On the occasion, the governor also released a book ‘Birds of
Manipur University campus,’ apart from inspecting the exhibition put up by the
students of the Department of Zoology.
When sought comment about the book, author Prof. N Mohilal
Meitei of Department of Zoology (MU) said, “Making a book available to raise
awareness on the need for the conservation of birds and provide details for easy
identification of these species is a large step towards the conservation. The
book contains details of 76 bird species frequently seen in & around the MU
campus.”
Vice-Chancellor Prof. N Lokendra Singh of Manipur
University, Deputy Director General Dr. Joykrusna Jena of ICAR-New Delhi, Chief
Executive Dr. Bijay Kumar Behera of National Fisheries Development Board,
Hyderabad, and Director Dr. Pramod Kumar Pandey of ICAR-CICFR, Bhimtal, were
among others who attended the event.
