Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, launches a nationwide River Ranching Programme 

What is the news? 

The Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has launched a national level River Ranching program in UP.  

At the same time, other 4 states namely, Uttarakhand, Orissa, Tripura and Chhattisgarh also participated nationwide River Ranching program launching. 

What is river ranching?

River ranching is a form of aquaculture in which a population of a fish species is held in captivity for the first stage of their lives, then released, and later harvested as adults. 

What is the river ranching programme?

“River ranching programme” is introduced as special activity under PMMSY (Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana) scheme for augmenting and enhancing the fish production and productivity through expansion, intensification, diversification and productive utilization of land and water. 

Nodal Agency -Department of Fisheries has designated National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad as the Nodal Agency 

This program is under Central Sector component of PMMSY for implementing River Ranching across the Country. 

As a Phase –I programme NFDB during 2020-21 has targeted three major river systems namely Ganges and its tributaries, Brahmaputra & Barak river tributaries and Mahanadi & other rivers. 

What is the need of this program? 

With growing human population, the requirement of high-quality protein, the demand of fish is gradually increasing. 

What are the potential benefits of the program? 

For ecosystem-River Ranching Program can achieve sustainable fisheries, reducing habitat degradation, conserving biodiversity, maximizing social-economic benefits and assessing ecosystem services.  

For fishing community-It also ensures the upgradation of traditional fishery, ecosystem sustainability and trade & social protection of Inland communities. 

It would maintain the cleanliness of the river as they feed on organic remnants. 

Source: This post is based on the article ”Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, launches a nationwide River Ranching Programme” published in ‘PIB’ on 08 October 2021.