CIFRI Awards
Every year November 21 is celebrated as World Fisheries Day to look at the sustainability factors of the fisheries, fishing industries and also the surrounding sphere which the balance ecosystem. To make this day memorable ICAR-CIFRI has arranged on field events like sensitization programme, demonstrations etc. A ‘field day’ has been organized at Chamta wetland, Bongaon, West Bengal to generate awareness among the beel dependent communities regarding the importance of climate resilient beel fisheries management. The objective of the programme is to empower rural youth through climate resilient small-scale beel fisheries management by rebuilding viable livelihood opportunity in post COVID-19 era.
Dr. B.K Das, Director, CIFRI inaugurated the programme by stocking the fingerlings in the pens installed in Chamta wetland. All the five HODs of ICAR-CIFRI namely, Dr. S. Samanta, Dr. M.A. Hassan, U.K Sarkar, Dr. S.K Nag, Dr. B.K Behera graced the occasion and interacted with the fishers. The issues raised by fishers and fish farmers were complied by the scientists. Fishers from Kholsi beel, Beledanga beel, Chamardaha beel and Panchita beel were present in the programme. They also shared their experience with CIFRI for holding their hands in managing beel fisheries. ICAR-CIFRI has adopted a cluster of six beels in North 24 Parganas under SC Sub Plan for supporting the beel fishers belonging to the marginalized community through scientific fisheries enhancement techniques and it will lead the rural populace towards ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. In Chamta beel four number of pens, a boat, six coracles, 45 tonnes feeds, 2 lakhs seeds were given and it has lead to an additional income of 10laks to 248 beneficiaries including 36 women beneficiaries. Twelve beel fishers from three different beels were felicitated. Sri Ujjal Paul, Panchyet Pradhan also graced the occasion and addressed the gathering. Dr. B.K Das, Director, CIFRI in his presidential address also mentioned that hearing the voices from field and addressing the inland fisheries issues will help to combat hunger and malnutrition of the poorest of poor of our country. In this programme the concept of Swachh Bharat mission was also imbibed among the fishermen community.
