The State of Jharkhand that had already achieved a prominent position in production, supply of fishes to other States and has also attained a self sufficient status in fulfilling the State’s requirement in fish production, may soon use its prominent water reservoirs for expanding and promoting ‘Pisciculture’— the technique of raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures.
Fish farming linked with the endurance of several communities here, the State’s biggest Urban Local Body (ULB) – Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) is planning to utilize the water bodies currently undergoing the process of restoration for endorsing ‘Pisciculture’ in a more elaborate way.
Considering twin benefits which include creating employment for rural populace and for maintaining cleanliness in and around the restored ponds managed by the Municipal Corporation, the Civic Body is preparing a blueprint considering the size of ponds, locality, population and other factors for setting up fish cages inside the selected ponds.
“RMC is planning to start fish farming, the much applauded initiative of the State government at a few ponds that are getting revamped. Once the restoration task of the listed ponds get complete, RMC will shortlist over five ponds out of 15 water bodies that have been selected for restoration for starting ‘Pisciculture’ there,” said RMC Mayor Asha Lakra.
“At present, the plan is at a nascent stage, however, considering the deadline of the completion of the ponds beautification project, the drafting of the proposal is likely to be begin soon under the guidance of experts. Since, the State had recently registered a significant rise in fish production and distribution; no additional amenities will be required to start the project. An individual or organisations which get the charge of a particular pond for fish farming will have the additional responsibility of managing it,” the Mayor further added.
As many as 15 major and minor water bodies located within the municipal periphery are being restored with all basic civic facilities. From Ranchi Lake aka Bada Talab -- located at the base of the landmark Ranchi Hill, the 53-acre man-made lake -- 2,100 feet above sea level which is being restored at a whopping cost of Rs. 14 crore to Line Tank Pond beautification work, the Civic Body is spending hefty sum in giving a complete makeover to the water reservoirs.
The beautification project rolled out at a cost of Rs. 3.35 crore from Chutia Pond two years back covering both major and minor ponds for revamping and de-silting the water bodies also includes making boundary walls around the ponds, constructing pathways, planting saplings and mounting up lights alongside the dew ponds.
In the first phase, the civic guardians’ initiated the task of giving a facelift to the water reservoirs that includes -- ponds in Madhukam, Morhabadi (Divyayan Pond), Hatma Basti, Teter Toli, Tunki Toli, Bariatu (Joda Talaab), Devi Mandap Road in Hesal, Kadru (behind Hajj House), Hindpiri (Chota Talaab), Dhumsatoli in Chutia and Banas Talaab at a total sum of Rs. 14,59,63,800. A separate project was planned and conceived for cleaning and revamping Ranchi Lake.
According to the Mayor, several ponds which were left out from the beautification project were earmarked for restoration in the second phase. He added, “The idea is not just to beautify water bodies in significant number but to also generate employment through introducing facilities that generates employment and has a commercial value considering the livelihood of the poor.”