Srinagar, March 14 Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced a Rs 100 crore Integrated Aqua Park Project in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday to strengthen aquaculture infrastructure and create employment opportunities in the region.
Singh, the Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (FAHD) and Panchayati Raj, made the announcement during the National Conference on Cold Water Fisheries organized by the Department of Fisheries, here.
The event was also attended by J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Union Minister of State, FAHD and Panchayati Raj S P Singh Baghel.
The Integrated Aqua Park Project to be established in Anantnag district will strengthen aquaculture infrastructure, boost cold-water fisheries development, increase fish production and create employment opportunities in the region, Singh said.
He said there is a need to scale up trout production and strengthen the incomes of cold-water fish farmers by enhancing productivity, improving value addition, and tapping into export markets where these species hold strong demand.
He emphasized the government's focus on promoting end-to-end value-chain development to ensure that cold-water regions can efficiently produce, process, and market trout and other species with improved access to modern infrastructure and stronger market linkages.
The Union Minister urged the organization of Fish Farmers through cooperatives and encouraged States/UTs to support farmers in accessing schemes, infrastructure, and credit.
The Minister, along with LG Sinha and CM Abdullah, jointly released the Model Guidelines for Reservoir Fisheries and Aquaculture Management.
The guidelines provide a comprehensive framework covering scientific seed stocking, cage-and pen-based aquaculture, leasing and governance mechanisms, biodiversity conservation, value-chain linkages, and monitoring systems.