Wednesday 13, 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
In order to promote fishery among local farmers to develop it as an important livelihood source, the Nainital district administration has started developing fishery clusters in the district. The chief development officer of the district, Sandeep Tiwari said that the administration is focussing on increasing livelihood opportunities for farmers and others through sustainable utilisation of natural fish resources with responsible fishing practices. He said that the administration has recently developed a fishery cluster at a village in Dhari block which will provide a livelihood to at least 40 locals. He added that duck rearing will also be promoted here and in other blocks to augment farmers’ income. According to him, the development of fishery clusters motivates more people to get involved besides maintaining the water body. “If the department develops separated small isolated water bodies for fisheries, the local farmers work for a certain amount of time there and then leave it. The departments concerned also generally do not pay ample attention to the maintenance of the water body. With the development of fishery clusters, departments concerned and local farmers tend to get involved more seriously,” stated the CDO. He informed that the department concerned will also provide technical help to interested locals to adopt responsible fishing practices. The CDO stated that this plan will help the farmers to get income for at least six months of the year and they can carry on their farming practices during the remaining months. He said that this plan has the potential to become a successful commercial activity for youths and local entrepreneurs. “We started this plan under our district plan but we will soon start developing such clusters in other blocks too in association with the officials of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA),” added Tiwari.
