4th November 2024, Bengaluru
As part of a conservation effort, the ranching of young Hemibagrus punctatus, locally known as Kettalu menu, a critically endangered and endemic fish species, was carried out today at the Sivanasamudra Fish Sanctuary in the Cauvery River. This initiative was a collaboration between the Wildlife Association of South India (WASI), Bangalore, and the Department of Fisheries, Karnataka. The species is critically endangered in the IUCN Red List, warranting the need to develop a breeding protocol for the species. For the first time, ICAR-NBFGR successfully implemented the captive propagation and ranching programme for the species today, releasing the young fish into their natural habitat at the Sivanasamudra Fish Sanctuary in Karnataka.
The Chief Guest Padmasree, Dr S. Ayyappan, Former Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR), emphasized the importance of the event in the conservation of this valuable resource in the long run and asked for more networking for effective implementation.
Dr Uttam Kumar Sarkar, Director, ICAR-NBFGR, highlighted the role of the ranching programme for stock enhancement and sustainable utilization of the species in the Cauvery River.
An input distribution event for fishers under the SCSP component of the institute was also organised during the occasion. Coracles and fishing nets were provided to the 10 fishermen of the region for livelihood development. Earlier, a similar programme was organised under the STC Scheme of the Institute at Farakka, West Bengal, on 2nd November 2024 in collaboration with Hemnagar Sundarban Dream, West Bengal.
During the programme, the farmers received various inputs such as high-value catfish (singhi) fingerlings, cast nets, and fish carriers (handi).
A total of 50 fishers and fish farmers participated in the event.
(Source: ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow)
