Ornamental fish culture is a potential venture for the livelihood enhancement of women islanders of Lakshadweep. In continuation with the community aquaculture unit established by the ICAR- National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow a new facility, Display-cum-Interpretation Centre for Marine Ornamentals, was inaugurated by Dr. Himanshu Pathak Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) at Agatti, Lakshadweep today in the presence of Dr. Uttam Kumar Sarkar, Director, ICAR-NBFGR and Dr. T. T. Ajith Kumar, Head, PAGR Centre at ICAR-NBFGR, Kochi.
Dr. Pathak interacted with 100 women beneficiaries, encouraging their active participation in the bureau’s initiative to improve livelihood security. He also visited the island and observed the diverse fish population on the island’s coral reef. Five publications were released on Lakshadweep ornamental fishes, community aquaculture, and livelihood development during the programme.
The facility will serve as a public knowledge hub for marine diversity conservation, primarily marine ornamental organisms, and generate additional income for Agatti’s women islanders. Cinetorhynchus himanshui, a new ornamental shrimp discovered in Lakshadweep waters, was launched for captive propagation. The new species will be captively bred and brought into the ornamental trade for the livelihood enhancement of the local tribal women.
