Emphasis on production of ornamental fish

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 9: An ambitious initiative is taken for production of ornamental fish in Cooch Behar district. It may boost interest among unemployed youths about pisciculture and its various aspects. At the same time the cultivation of ornamental fish may improve the economy of this region because there is a growing demand for such fishes in India and abroad, fishery department officials believe.

 

Following the ornamental fish cultivation plan three co-operative societies were formed in Dinhata-I block recently. Solely women members are engaged in running these bodies. They registered their societies following government norms. The members of these societies will be sent to Jalpaiguri soon to attend a ten-day training programme on breeding and cultivation of different species of ornamental fishes and marketing procedure.

 

According to the plan such women co-operative societies will also be formed in Mathabhanga and Tufanganj shortly. Actually, the fishery department is eager to encourage women to form such societies in each block areas in this district, said the assistant director of fisheries, Mr Sudhir Chandra Dutta. Presently, there are 6,120-hectre areas of waterbodies in Cooch Behar district and sixty fishermen's co-operative societies with 14,211 members.

 

As ornamental fish has a ready market in India and foreign countries it has a bright business prospect. Learning about it a few youths already started cultivation and trading of ornamental fishes on their own in this district.

 

It may be mentioned here that an aquarium was introduced at Rasik-bil tourist complex a few years ago in an aim to create interest about ornamental fishes and production of these on commercial basis. But lack of regular maintenance the aquarium turned almost defunct. Admitting the situation the ADF Mr Dutta said the aquarium functioned well as its earlier days but later it was handed over to the Panchayat Samity concerned for maintenance. He however assured that initiative would be taken to revive the facility. []