To raise awareness about the importance of sustainable fisheries and the need to protect aquatic ecosystems and the livelihoods of fishing communities, Tripura along with the rest of the world on Thursday observed the World Fisheries Day.
The state fishery minister Sudhangshu Das has inaugurated the state level programme here at Agartala Pragna Bhavan.
Addressing the gathering, the minister said that to boost fisheries and tourism, the government is working on establishing an integrated aqua park in the Unakoti district of the state, which will be the state’s first of its kind. He said that the integrated aqua park will come up at Satero Miyan Haur of Kailasahar subdivision.
A project worth Rs 100 crore was sent to the central government and accordingly the government at the Centre has sanctioned Rs 43 crore for the implementation of this project, he said, adding that the government is putting utmost effort in boosting the fisheries in the state and enhance the rural economy and make the farmers self-reliant.
The minister said that the state has an annual demand of 1,17,000 metric tons of fish. Presently there is a shortfall of 32000 MT of fish in the state as the state produces 85000 MT of fish and the rest are being imported, he said, adding that to meet this deficiency, initiatives have been taken to expand fisheries by identifying abandoned water bodies in the state.