Munish Sood
Mandi
After a two-month breeding season ban, fishing resumed across Himachal Pradesh’s rivers and reservoirs on August 16, with local cooperatives celebrating a bumper haul. The state’s fishermen netted 33.06 metric tonnes of fish on the first day—surpassing last year’s 31.85 MT, according to Fisheries Director-cum-Warden Vivek Chandel.
Reservoirs Lead the Way
- Pong Dam topped the charts with 18,500 kg
- Gobind Sagar followed with 12,924 kg
- Chamera & Ranjit Sagar contributed 1,543.5 kg
- Kol Dam added 93 kg
Record-Breaking Specimens
The day also saw some remarkable individual catches:
- Shravan Kumar (Khatiar Society) landed a 26.3 kg catla at Pong Dam
- Sarwan Kumar (Jabloo Cooperative) netted a 25 kg bighead carp in Gobind Sagar
- Vijay Kumar (Saloa Cooperative) caught a 15 kg silver carp
- Om Prakash (Sandhara Cooperative) reeled in a 25 kg silver carp from Ranjeet Sagar
“These are healthy signs of stock regeneration,” Chandel said.
Ban for Sustainability
Fishing is banned annually from June 16 to August 15 to allow natural breeding of major species. “This closure is vital for sustaining fish populations and the livelihoods of thousands,” Chandel explained.
To enforce the ban, the department deployed over 40 camps and flying squads across Bilaspur, Kangra, and Chamba.
- 670 cases of illegal fishing were registered (up from 442 last year)
- ₹6.15 lakh in fines were collected—more than double the previous year’s recovery
“The rise in cases reflects stricter monitoring, not a surge in violations,” Chandel clarified.
Fishing: A Lifeline
Fishing supports over 12,000 families in Himachal:
- 5,900 fishermen operate in reservoirs
- 6,000 more fish across 2,400 km of rivers and streams
“For them, the reopening is about survival and dignity,” Chandel said.
Silver carp dominate Gobind Sagar, Kol Dam, and Chamera
Catfish are abundant in Pong Dam
“These trends show a healthy balance,” Chandel noted. “We aim to boost yields while protecting stocks. Fishermen are not just beneficiaries—they’re partners in conservation.”
