Rain deficit delay, threaten fish production

Metro India News | KARIMNAGAR

Fish production in the undivided Karimnagar district is likely to witness a significant decline this year as delayed fish seed distribution and deficient rainfall threaten the annual stocking programme. After achieving barely half of last year's target, fishermen fear this season could be even worse.

The Telangana government provides free fish seed every year to strengthen the livelihoods of fishermen and boost inland fish production. Traditionally, tenders for procuring fish seed are issued by the end of April and finalised by the second week of May, allowing stocking to begin with the onset of the monsoon. However, delays in the tender process for the second consecutive year have disrupted the schedule.

Last year, only around 50 per cent of the planned fish seed was released due to the delay. Fishermen had expected the government to complete the programme in full this year, but no official action plan has been announced so far. The prevailing drought-like conditions, attributed to the El Niño effect, have further intensified concerns over whether fish seed distribution will take place at all.

Officials are now working towards releasing fish seed during the second week of September, subject to adequate water availability. In Rajanna Sircilla district, authorities have planned to stock 1.48 crore fingerlings in 452 tanks and four major reservoirs. Jagitial district aims to release nearly one crore fingerlings in 1,016 tanks with an allocation of Rs 2.20 crore, while Peddapalli district has proposed stocking 1.59 crore fingerlings in 957 tanks at an estimated cost of Rs 1.58 crore.

In Karimnagar district, officials have planned to release around 2.15 crore fingerlings in 1,016 tanks and the Lower Manair Dam. However, unless the tender process is completed quickly and rainfall improves, fisheries officials fear the programme may once again fall far short of its target, adversely affecting thousands of fishermen across the region.