Lok Sabha Question No. 5225 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Fisheries Development in Himachal Pradesh
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Anurag Singh Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5225 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 th  MARCH, 2026

## Fisheries Development in Himachal Pradesh

## 5225.  Shri Anurag Singh Thakur:

Will  the Minister  of  FISHERIES,  ANIMAL  HUSBANDRY  AND  DAIRYING be pleased to state:

- (a) the  data  on  annual  fish  production,  fish  seed  production  and  total  funds released  under  Centrally  sponsored,  central  Sector  Schemes,  National  Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) for the fisheries sector in Himachal Pradesh, year-wise since 2021-22;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  Gobind  sagar  Reservoir  at  Bhakra Dam  and  Maharana  Pratap  Sagar  Reservoir  or  Pong  Dam  Lake  in  Himachal Pradesh possess considerable untapped potential for extensive fishing, cage culture and commercial aquaculture activities benefitting local fisher communities;
- (c) if so, the steps taken or to be taken by the Government to promote, develop, and  expand  fishing activities, landing infrastructure, and  livelihoods of fisher communities in these two major reservoirs;
- (d) the  total  funds  allocated  and  utilised  for  the  integrated  development  of reservoirs under the Blue Revolution Scheme, reservoir and State-wise; and
- (e) the projected fish production targets and timeline envisaged by the Government for fully harnessing the fishing and aquaculture potential of reservoirs?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a) : The  Department  of  Fisheries,  Government  of  India  since  FY  2020-21  is implementing  the  flagship  Pradhan  Mantri  Matsya  Sampada  Yojana  (PMMSY) across all States and Union Territories including in the State of Himachal Pradesh. The Department of Fisheries, Government of India since inception of PMMSY  has accorded  approvals  to the fisheries development  projects of  Government  of Himachal  Pradesh  worth  ₹15,548.08  lakh  with  a  central  share  of  ₹7,947.31  lakh under the PMMSY. In addition, under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development  Fund(FIDF), a proposal for establishment of a State-of-the-Art Fisheries Training Centre at Gagret, District Una at a cost of ₹5.17 crore has also been approved.  It is reported that the State of Himachal Pradesh has witnessed a steady  increase  in  fish  production,  mainly  due  to  expansion  of  trout  farming  in high-altitude regions and carp farming in reservoir belts. The annual fish production, fish  seed  production, and funds released under CSS, CS components, and NFDB since 2021-22 as reported by the Government of Himachal Pradesh  are furnished below:

| Financial Year                 | Fish Production (MT)   | Carp Seed (Spawn in lakhs)   | Trout Seed (Eyed Ova in lakhs)   | CSS - PMMSY (₹ in lakh)   | CS - PMMSY (₹ in lakh)   | NFDB (₹ in lakh)   |
|--------------------------------|------------------------|------------------------------|----------------------------------|---------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------|
| (i)                            | (ii)                   | (iii)                        | (iv)                             | (v)                       | (vi)                     | (vii)              |
| 2021-22                        | 16,015.81              | 702.21                       | 50.00                            | 1,264.82                  | 25.70                    | 33.18              |
| 2022-23                        | 17,026.09              | 671.31                       | 42.00                            | 1,309.62                  | 0.00                     | 29.30              |
| 2023-24                        | 17,721.64              | 629.49                       | 54.00                            | 562.43                    | 0.00                     | 8.18               |
| 2024-25                        | 19,019.83              | 773.56                       | 60.00                            | 1,476.25                  | 25.70                    | 69.03              |
| 2025-26 (up to February 2026 ) | 16,861.06              | 430.70                       | 30.00                            | 0.00                      | 0.00                     | 8.48               |

(b) to (e): Yes, Sir. In order to harness the potential of Gobind Sagar, Maharana Pratap  Sagar  Reservoirs  in  a  sustainable  manner,  Governmental  assistance  is provided under the fisheries development schemes for promotion of capture fisheries through  cooperatives  and  promotion  of  cultured  based  fisheries.  To  promote commercial  Pangasius  culture,  a  total  48  cages  (24  in  each  reservoir)  have  been installed, and to promote and expand fishing activities, 15 landing centres in Pong Dam  and  8 landing centres in Gobind Sagar have been  established. The Governmental assistance is also provided for procurement of boats and nets to 697 fishermen,  while  9208  fishermen  in  the  State  are  provided  with  close  season assistance  in  the  last  three  years.  In  addition,  insurance  cover  of  ₹5.00  lakh (death/permanent  disability)  and  ₹2.50  lakh  (partial  disability)  is  extended  to  the fishers, fingerling stocking, cage culture, and closed season are also implemented to sustain fisheries resources.

The  Government  of  Himachal  Pradesh  further  reported  that  under  the  Blue Revolution scheme implemented during FY2015-16 to 2019-20, Himachal Pradesh received the Central share of ₹3727.47 lakh and this central share was fully utilised. It is reported that supporting seed stocking, development of hatcheries, cage culture, landing centres, and  ice plants, funds were  allocated for reservoir fisheries development, including ₹126.40 lakh for Gobind Sagar, ₹171.20 lakh for  Kol Dam and  ₹160.00  lakh  for  Pong  Dam.  The  Government  of  Himachal  Pradesh  has reported that the projected fish production target of 600 metric tonne annually  is set for  each of Gobind Sagar and Maharana Pratap Sagar reservoirs for the next five years through integrated stocking and conservation measures.

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