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ICAR-CIFRI Organised Hilsa Ranching Programme in River Ganga at Farakka

28^th June, 2026
Farakka, W.B.
ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI) organised a Hilsa ranching programme in the river Ganga above the Farakka barrage under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) on 28 June 2026. The main objective of the programme is to restore Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) fisheries in the River Ganga, particularly between Prayagraj to Farakka.
Hilsa, the Indian Shad with immense cultural, nutritional and commercial significance, sells at Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 3,000 a kg, based on the size. However, catch of this prized fish in middle stretch of the Ganga has drastically gone down since commissioning of the Farakka barrage. In this connection, ranching of growing adult stages of Hilsa is a major scientific intervention towards improvement of Hilsa population and fishers’ livelihood in middle stretch of the Ganga.

Today, a total of 110 young adult Hilsa, reared inside large circular cages in the river Ganga, were successfully released into the river above the Farakka barrage as part of the ranching programme. During the programme, Dr. A.K. Sahoo, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI, highlighted the objectives, major achievements, and conservation activities under the Hilsa Ranching Programme going on since 2020 under the NMCG. The programme was graced by Shri Y.S Bashrney (Superintending Engineer, Farakka Barrage), Shri Vikas Kumar Saxena (ADDL. GM, EMG NTPC Farakka), Shri Vijay Kumar (Sr. Commandant, CISF NTPC Farakka), Shri Nakul Kumar Verma (Commandant, Farakka Barrage), Shri Vipin Yadav (Assistant Commandant, Farakka Barrage), and Ms. Mamta Hena Ali (Fisheries Extension Officer, Department of Fisheries, Farakka). Representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Shipping, and Ministry of Power assured all possible supports for successful implementation of Hilsa conservation and ranching activities at Farakka. NTPC also expressed its willingness to further strengthen the programme through its CSR initiatives.

The programme was coordinated by Dr. A. K Sahoo under the supervision of Dr. S.K. Manna, Principal Scientist & Head of Division and the guidance of Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR- CIFRI.