A one-day awareness programme for Scheduled Tribe (ST) fishers under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, was organised on Monday by the District Fishery Office, Tamenglong, at ZEF Hall in Tamenglong. Around 100 participants from different villages of the district attended the programme.
The programme featured resource persons Loveson Gangmei, District Fishery Officer, Tamenglong, and Kahiakgailiu Gonmei, Field Assistant of the Agriculture Department, Tamenglong.
Addressing the gathering, Loveson Gangmei stressed the importance of technical knowledge for fishers to increase production and benefit from loans and government schemes.
He said fish rearing can often be easier than other livestock activities, noting that unlike pigs or other livestock, fish do not require constant feeding attention. However, he cautioned that negligence in pond management often leads to low yields. He encouraged fishers to participate in awareness programmes and training to expand their operations and generate additional income.
Highlighting the production gap in Manipur, he said the state requires about 54 lakh metric tonnes of fish annually but currently produces only around 32 to 34 lakh metric tonnes. He also warned against destructive fishing methods, urging fishers to avoid the use of bleaching powder, dynamite or inverters as such practices damage aquatic ecosystems and threaten future fish populations.
He further cautioned against the introduction of certain non-native or fast-breeding species such as Tonghanbi, explaining that these species reproduce every three months and may outcompete indigenous fish that take one to three years to mature.
Gangmei also commended conservation initiatives in Rianglong and Konphung villages under Tamei sub-division, where local communities have been protecting Mahseer for the past seven years. Rianglong village also hosts an annual angling festival.
He also briefed the participants about available loan schemes and government support for fishers.
Speaking at the programme, Kahiakgailiu Gonmei discussed cold-water aquaculture practices, including pond culture, cage or pen culture in reservoirs and raceway systems suitable for cold environments. She also highlighted management techniques and species suitable for such conditions.
She further promoted Integrated Fish Farming as a best practice, where fish culture is combined with pig and duck rearing along with vegetable cultivation around fish ponds to maximise resource utilisation and increase farmers’ income.
