Yadavindra S Rana :
HAMIRPUR (HP)—Himachal Pradesh has decided to promote high-end tourism in 40 km long and 163 meters high Kol Dam reservoir in district Bilaspur. While talking to Virender Kanwar, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister, said that the fisheries department would soon start sports/recreational fisheries by 2020. The department has proposed to start sports fisheries in 1302 hectares water bondage falling in districts Bilaspur, Solan, Mandi and Shimla by setting up angling huts to promote recreational fishing. The plan would develop the area in a new tourist destination of the state, he added.
Kol Dam known as man-made water body recorded 5,595 metric tones of fish production in 2018-19 compared to 3,105 metric tones fish production in 2017-18. “We have set the record of fish production at 8,000 metric tones for 2019-20, said he.
Besides the state government has made a plan to address the problems of displaced families because of Kol Dam by creating livelihood opportunities through commercial fish production and the government has set up five cooperative societies for this purpose. Displaced families, erstwhile fishermen and poor families were enrolled as primary members of these cooperative societies. Over 350 fishermen are engaged in the exploitation of fish from Kol Dam water bodies.
It is also revealed that fish fauna of Satluj River was dominated by schizothoracids, mahseer, minor carps, catfishes and trout in the upper reaches. The fisheries department has created three fish landing centers in the reservoir at Kasol, Beral and Sunni where members of cooperative societies can do fish catching activities and hand over their catch to the fish contractors for further marketing. The fish landing centers are well equipped with hi-tech facilities and hygienic conditions so that quality of fish caught could be maintained.
The department has also proposed to the government to shift fishing close season from June 1- July 31 every year for better auto breeding of fish in the reservoir. In turn, 80 fishermen would be given Rs 3000 to compensate their loss during close season, revealed Kanwar.
The department conducting a preliminary survey regarding availability of land and water in the close proximity of the reservoirs so that carp hatcheries and rearing ponds can be set up to increase advanced fingerlings of the stocking. Up to November this year, the department has done 3876 lakh fish seed stocking in departmental farms.