Himachal fish project cleared

The Himachal Pradesh government has finally cleared the long-standing Mahaseer fish project in Himachal Pradesh Mandi district.

Officials of the state fisheries department have said the state government has also sanctioned Rs 5 crore for the proposed project to be set up at Machyal, on a tributary of the Beas in Mandi district, some 200 km from here.

This decision was taken soon after the central forest and environment ministry gave its green signal to the project and also sanctioned Rs 1 crore for the project which has been delayed, for about a decade, due to squabbling of local politicians over the exact place of the fish farm.

"It will take two years to set up the fish farm. The fish seed (or fingerlings) will later be distributed in suitable rivers, streams and lakes of Himachal," said State Fisheries Director BD Sharma. Experts say the hill state has a vast potential for breeding this fish.

The Mahaseer is a fresh water scaly fish, which can weigh over 50 lbs and is also considered as one of the best sport fish in the world. This is also expected to give a big boost to angling in the hill state.

Experts say the six species of Mahaseer live in various habitats in India, ranging from tropical waters (where temperature in summer goes upto 35 degree Celsius) to sub-Himalayan waters (where the water temperature in winter drops to freezing point).