Trout farming in Himachal is an export success- Mins

Himachal Pradesh Fisheries Department will export 5.00 lakh of   Himachali   trout ova /eggs  for rearing    to  Sikkim during the current financial year .

The first consignment of 2 lakh rainbow eyed ova/egg is likely to be lifted by Sikkim Govt on 24 th December from Batahar and Hamni  hatcheries in Kullu District and remaining three lakhs will be lifted  in next few months said Virender Kanwar Minister for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries here today 

Presently, approximately 17.00 lac ova of rainbow trout is being produced in trout hatcheries established in government sector  at Patlikuhal, Batahar and Hamni in Kullu District, Thalla, Bhandal and Holi in Chamba District, Barot in Mandi District, Sangla in Kinnaur District and Dhamwari in Shimla District.

The fisheries department  stocks approximately 80,000-1,00,000 Brown trout seed (fingerlings) in the  cold water regions in  rivers annually said Virender Kanwar Minister for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries here today 

Himachali  trout, introduced to the region by the British in 1909 to encourage sports fisheries , is one of the healthiest and tastiest in the world because it lives in oxygen-rich, ice-filled streams. Later successful transfer of technology for trout farming under bilateral Indo-Norwegian Trout Farming Project  paved the way for commercial farming in high hills of the state

The state is also investing funds to develop fisheries infrastructure in  Pvt Sector by providing various incentives under centrally sponsored schemes in various parts of the state .During the year 2017-18  total 15 trout hatcheries were sanctioned under CSS BR- for the first time in the private sector. Thereafter during 2018-19  total 12 more trout hatcheries were sanctioned in the private sector. Under RKVY also 2 trout hatcheries were established in the year 2017-18. Under PMMSY  3 more hatcheries are being established in private sector said Virender Kanwar Minister for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries here today 

 Total 32 trout hatcheries that is  Kullu (9) Mandi (9)  Kangra (2), Chamba (5)Shimla (2) Kinnaur (3) and Sirmour(2)  have been set up with initial investment of Rs 875  lakh rupees under various Centrally Sponsored Scheme  in private sector till date in the state to  meet growing demand of  trout eyed ova within the state .

During the year 2021-22 five more trout hatcheries would be set up in  Sirmour, Chamba, Kinnaur, Shimla and Mandi District.  with initial investment of  Rs. 2.50 crore ( subsidy 140 lakhs )  to augment trout ova/ egg productions 

Trout fish farming is emerging as a good business for the farmers of snow bound upper regions of Himachal Pradesh.  Trout fish farming is being done commercially along with a water source.

  So far more than 1200 trout units have  been constructed in the state by approximately 600 trout growers . The Pvt Hatcheries are generating economic activities of around 30 crore annually and providing employment to around 1000 people in the state at present said Virender Kanwar Minister for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries here today 

Himachal is also known as an anglers’ paradise. Tourists, particularly foreigners, head for high-altitude water bodies in 

Kullu, Mandi, Kinnaur, Shimla and Chamba districts. The department has established angling huts in trout potential districts to provide halting facilities to anglers. Department organizes angling competitions from  time to time to attract national and international anglers in the state. Approximately 10,000 anglers have visited the state during last three years 

Total 632 MT trout fish production target has been fixed for current year and trout is sold within state and out of the State at Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab and Haryana said  Virender Kanwar Minister for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries here today