KOKRAJHAR, April 26 � Some leading scientists of India have underlined the potential of aquaculture with integrated sustainable farming in the BTC region.
Speaking at a five-day long workshop at Aithugaon Shamukha Beel Aquaculture Pilot Village at Kokrajhar, Dr Dilip Kumar, a scientist of international repute and former Vice Chancellor of CFFE, Mumbai and also chairman of the 12th Planning Commission of India laid emphasis on exploring the immense viability of natural resources in BTC region to make extensive economic progress through freshwater aquaculture with integrated farming.
He strongly recommended the utilisation of potential resources of the area like water bodies, young dedicated team of youths, integrated administrative set up, conducive human habitation for which tools and technology, inputs, capacity building, extension support system, monitory system along with adequate institutional credit support. These will definitely build a sustainable growth in the aquaculture linked benefits for this region, he felt. He made it clear that a holistic approach in this regard through coordinated efforts under a planned road map can definitely being huge returns helping in the socio economic development of this place.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr AK Sahu, Head Aquaculture Division, CIFA, Bhubaneswar, Odisha remarked welcomed a pilot project for aquaculture in the BTC area. He also assured that a selected group of fish farmers may be chosen by the BTC and they may be sent to Odisha to see and realise the process in which several projects in Odisha have became successful. He promised to extend all possible co operation for skill development training and other aspects for the growth of aquaculture in this region.
Dr PC Mahanta, Director, DCFR, Bhimtal, remarked that the effort of BTC is an eye opener for the North East region towards developing aquaculture. However he said that such activities requires a check list of fishes, Beels and water bodies, checklist of extinct and venerable species, identification of farmers in various capacities, awareness generation and a disciplined way of managing a workable master plan among others for which funds shall never be an obstacle. He has suggested the setting up of a live gene bank here. He also informed that one of the rarest cold water fish is found in the down stream of rivers floating from Bhutan across a few rivers in the BTC region for which a process is on to undertake new projects at Maithanguri in Manas National Park.
Speaking on the occasion, Hagrama Mohilary, Chief of BTC in clear terms said that as there is shortage of industries and the economy is based on agriculture and fisheries. So the BTC is committed to economically develop the region through aquaculture which is potentially viable for this area.
