Pengba release in Loktak Lake

Shri N. Biren Singh, Chief Minister, Government of Manipur inaugurated the Mega Ranching Programme of Pengba, the State Fish of Manipur in the largest Freshwater Lake, Loktak Lake – A Ramsar Site organized by the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata here today.

ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore organizes Mega Ranching Programme of the State
Fish of Manipur (Pengba) in Loktak Lake (Ramsar Site)  ICAR-CIFRI,
Barrackpore organizes Mega Ranching Programme of the State Fish of
Manipur (Pengba) in Loktak Lake (Ramsar Site)

Shri Singh urged the citizens of the State to save Loktak Lake by stopping the encroachment, electric fishing and use of small meshed nets for fishing. He released one Poster on the List of Fishes in the Loktak Lake, 3 Leaflets providing information on the Management of the Open Water Bodies and Pengba Ranching for Sustainable Fisheries in Loktak Lake with Manipuri translation. The Chief Minister also distributed the inputs like 10 Tonnes CIFRI CageGrow Floating Feeds to 4 Cooperative Societies, 10 Cage Nets and 10 CIFRI HDPE pens among 150 beneficiaries during the occasion.

Shri H. Dingo Singh, Minister (Fisheries), Government of Manipur suggested the fishers to carry out responsible fishing for the sustainable use of the lake.

Shri T. Robindro, MLA, Thanga A/C; Shri K. Robindro, MLA, Mayang Imphal A/C; Shri L. Rameshwar Singh, MLA, Keirao A/C; Shri Th. Shanti Singh, MLA, Moirang A/C and Shri H. Balkrishna Singh, Director of Fisheries, Government of Manipur were also present on the occasion.

Shri M. Asnikumar Singh, Chairman, Loktak Development Authority, Loktak, Manipur underlined the role of LDA in conserving the ecology of the Loktak Lake.

Earlier welcoming the dignitaries, Dr. B.K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, Kolkata highlighted the importance of Pengba Ranching in the Lake. He also apprised the participants about the ICAR-CIFRI’s intervention in the State.

Around 1 Lakhs Fingerlings of Pengba were released in the Loktak Lake from Two sites – Sendra and Karang Island in Bishnupur District, Manipur.

The programme registered participation by the Representatives from LDA, Manipur; ICAR, Research Complex for North-Eastern Hill Region, Imphal Centre; Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Imphal West; Fisheries Students; Fisheries Entrepreneurs; Stakeholders and 150 Fishers.

ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata 11th May, 2022, Loktak Lake