Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Dr B.K.Das visited Mayurbhanj district of Odisha form 20th to 21st August 2017. Mayurbhanj district of Odisha is one of hte underdeveloped districts of India. The district and ranks 15th among the underdeveloped districts of India. The district gets its name frorm the continous region of two ancient kingdoms for over a thousand years-the “Mauryas” and the “Bhanjas” until its merger with the state of Orissa on January 1, 1949. The district is populated with 60% Tribal population density of 213 per Sq.Km.This district is bestowed with vast water resources having 12 reservoirs with a mean water area of 4407 ha. After the discussion of Director, ICAR-CIFRI with Mr S.K.Ghadei, District Fisheries Officer, Mayurbhanj on 20th August 2017, it was decided that Kalo reservoir and MIP Rajabandha will be suitable for TSP programme and accordingly a visit was organized to Kalo reservoir in Kaptipada block and MIP Rajabandha in Badasahi block of Mayurbhanj.
Kalo reservoir is having a mean water spread area of 584ha. The fishing is done by the PFCS Maa Mangala.A total of 110 total fishers depend on this reservoir for their livelihoods. The place is of historical importance, as Pandavas kept their weapons in a tree called Sami Brihkya in the Virat Dynasty of Mahabharat, which is now at the centre of reservoir, which is under the development of a tourist spot by Govt. Of Odisha. Director, ICAR-CIFRI had a discussion with fishers of Kalo reservoir and advised them on scientific management of reservoir and culture based fisheries development in this reservoir. The fishers have agreed to do nursery raising and stocking the advanced fingerlings of IMC in the reservoir. The technical support and partial input support will be provided from TSP program of ICAR-CIFRI.
Director, CIFRI Had also discussed with the fishers fo Raja Bandha MIP of Badasahi Block of Mayurbhanj. The MIP is having an area of 11 ha water spread area. Total 115 tribal families of 3 villages depend on this MIP and doing fish farming. Average fish production is around 1ton IMC and 5 tons of SIFs (Small Indigenous Fishes). Director CIFRI advised them on fish seed rearing and stocking of fingerling in the MIP. ICAR-CIFRI will provide partial for fisheries development in the MIP under TSP.
During return time Director CIFRI visited the tribal ornamental fish breeding and rearing cluster by women in Bhandarikula and adjoining villages and Kalish Hatchery, which is producing seed of IMC,Java punti, scampi, pangas etc and one of best enterpreneurship model and supplying fish seed to the farmers of Odisha and other state.
Dr P.K.Parida, Scientist and Nodal Officer, TSP accompained Director CIFRI On this visit to Mayurbhanj of Odisha for site seletion for TSP programme.
Source: Aqua International