By Vishal Gulati, IANS,
Shimla : Himachal Pradesh is planning to export trout, a delicious coldwater fish species found in abundance in the state.
The trout – both the brown and rainbow varieties – is found in the Beas, Sutlej and the Ravi rivers in the upper Himalayas. This year, production is expected to increase to 100 tonnes from 80 tonnes last year.
The increased production, coupled with the fine taste of the fish, has opened up export options.
The fisheries department has got in touch with the Marine Products Export Development Authority under the commerce ministry to explore ways to tap the export market, fisheries director B.D. Sharma told IANS.
“We are in the process to get the fish certified that it is virus-free and fit for export,” he added.
The export of marine products from India notched a record 61,2641 tonnes valued at Rs.83.63 billion ($1.85 billion) in 2006-07.
Right now, fish farmers here sell their produce in Delhi and Mumbai at around Rs.270 a kilogramme. Once its export is finalised, it will revolutionise aquaculture in the state, Sharma said.
The British introduced the trout in Himachal Pradesh in 1909 in order to promote game fishing. At that time, fingerlings brought from Jammu and Kashmir were released in the streams of Chamba, Kangra and Kullu districts. The stocked fish not only thrived but also started multiplying.
Subsequently, a number of trout breeding farms were set up in the state. At present more than 63 private farms cultivate trout in Chamba, Kullu and Mandi districts.
The fisheries department has also set up five fish farms, and has sanctioned Rs.25 million to construct another in the Banjar valley of Kullu district.
The state government is actively promoting fish farming by providing technical know-how and subsidised fish feed to farmers.
Sharma said the department planned to stock 250,000 fingerlings every year in the Tirthan river, a Beas tributary.
“No other commercial activity will be allowed in the farm and this will certainly help in increasing the fish stock in the river,” he said, adding, “This stretch has already been declared an angling reserve.