MECHUKA, Dec 5: Team of officers from the department of fisheries of West Siang and Shi Yomi districts toured here from 23 to 25 November last, as part of the Directorate of Fisheries, GoAP and ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand conducted programme to promote trout-based fisheries in terms of aquaculture and sport fishing in the valley of Mechukha under Shi Yomi district.
The team which included, director of fisheries J. Taba along with deputy director (Hq) G. Ete, assistant director (Hq) besides,district fisheries development officer and fishery officers of West Siang and Shi Yomi also interacted with the local residents and entrepreneurs and visited villages of Dorjeeling and Lhallung to find suitability of potential sites for establishment of trout raceways for aquaculture.
The team also selected several potential sites for establishment of trout raceways both in private and government sector. The director also proposed to establish a trout ova house in the govt. sector so as to make ready availability of trout seeds or alevins to the perspective trout growers of Menchukha valley in the long run. The ova house will further support in breeding of trout brooders reared in raceways in the govt. farm.
Furthermore, the potential sites for trout culture belonging to the local entrepreneurs were selected to establish trout raceways by implementing the state schemes and programme so that the valley is recognized as a trout hub in the state.
Fisheries expert Senior Scientist from ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand Dr. Deepjyoti Baruahwas also invited to visit the sites alongwith the team for digital mapping of the selected sites based on geospatial analysis, considering the slope gradient, water sources, water quality, road buffer etc.
The team also approached the local administration and appraised on the importance of conservation ofrainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) andbrown trout (Salmo truttafario)by declaring a ‘Trout Protected Zone’ on the river Yargyap Chu and its adjoining upstream where this fish basically breed and propagate.
