Integrated Aqua Park announced for Anantnag to strengthen cold-water fisheries and create jobs

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced a Rs 100 crore Integrated Aqua Park Project for Anantnag district. The plan aimed to improve aquaculture facilities and support jobs in Jammu and Kashmir. Singh made the announcement during the National Conference on Cold Water Fisheries, organised by the Department of Fisheries.

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The conference was attended by J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Union Minister of State, FAHD and Panchayati Raj S P Singh Baghel also joined the event. Singh said the new project would help cold-water fisheries, raise fish output, and add local employment options.

Integrated Aqua Park Project to support cold-water fisheries

Singh said the Integrated Aqua Park Project in Anantnag would strengthen aquaculture infrastructure. Singh said it would also help cold-water fisheries development and improve fish production. Singh said the project was meant to expand work opportunities in the region through better facilities and organised activity.

Singh said trout farming needed to grow in scale across cold-water areas. Singh said farmers’ earnings could rise with higher productivity and improved value addition. Singh also pointed to export markets, saying these species had strong demand and could offer better returns for producers.

Cold-water fisheries focus on value chain and markets

Singh said the government was focusing on end-to-end value-chain development for cold-water fisheries. Singh said the approach aimed to help regions produce, process, and market trout and other species. Singh said this would be supported by modern infrastructure and stronger market linkages for farmers.

Singh urged fish farmers to organise through cooperatives for better support. Singh also encouraged States and Union Territories to help farmers access schemes, infrastructure, and credit. Singh said these steps were needed to improve incomes and make cold-water fisheries more stable.

Cold-water fisheries guidelines released for reservoirs and aquaculture

Singh, LG Sinha and CM Abdullah jointly released the Model Guidelines for Reservoir Fisheries and Aquaculture Management. The guidelines set out a framework for scientific seed stocking, cage-and pen-based aquaculture, leasing, and governance. The document also covered biodiversity conservation, value-chain linkages, and monitoring systems.

The announcements and the release of the guidelines set out the government’s direction for cold-water fisheries. The Anantnag project and the framework aimed to improve infrastructure and management standards. Officials said the measures were linked to higher production, better farmer income prospects, and more jobs in Jammu and Kashmir.

With inputs from PTI