Executive Summary:
This document summarizes the Indian government's initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to augment fisheries infrastructure and improve employment opportunities in Himachal Pradesh. It details approved projects, support for organic fish clusters, and assistance to fisheries cooperatives and startups. The information provided pertains to initiatives implemented from FY2020-21 onwards, with specific data on financial assistance provided between 2022-23 and 2024-25.
Key Points / Main Content:
PMMSY Implementation:
* The Department of Fisheries is implementing PMMSY with an investment of ₹20,050 crore across all states and UTs, including Himachal Pradesh, from FY2020-21.
* Fisheries development projects worth ₹15,450.52 lakh, with a central share of ₹7,921.83 lakh, have been approved for Himachal Pradesh based on project proposals.
Fisheries Infrastructure Augmentation:
* Initiatives include establishing Biofloc units, Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), fish kiosks, ice plants, cold storages, feed mills, trout and carp hatcheries, trout raceways, backyard ornamental units, brood banks, live fish vending centers, and recreational fisheries units.
* A State-of-the-Art Fisheries Training Centre at Gagret, District Una, has been approved under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) at a cost of ₹5.17 crore.
Employment Opportunities:
* Pond farming, trout culture, fish seed production, ornamental fish production, fish transportation facilities, cold chain and fish marketing facilities, and provision of boats and fishing nets are contributing to direct and indirect employment.
Organic Fish Clusters:
* Fish culture in Himachal Pradesh is primarily undertaken through organic methods.
* A Coldwater Fisheries Cluster is being established under PMMSY, with District Kullu as the Lead District and District Mandi as the Partner District.
Support for Fisheries Cooperatives:
* Financial assistance is provided to fish cooperative societies for procurement of fishing nets and provision of close season assistance.
* Registered reservoir fishermen receive ₹4,500 per annum as close season assistance, with ₹2,400 per beneficiary from the Central Government.
* From 2022-23 to 2024-25, ₹2.44 crore has been provided to 10,151 beneficiaries in major reservoirs under PMMSY.
* The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) is supporting four newly constituted fisheries cooperative societies with ₹12.00 lakh (₹3.00 lakh per society).
Impact Analysis:
Government of Himachal Pradesh:
* Impact: Receives financial and technical support to develop fisheries infrastructure, promote employment, and strengthen organic fish clusters.
* Action Required: Continue submitting project proposals under PMMSY and implement approved projects according to guidelines.
Fishermen and Fish Farmers in Himachal Pradesh:
* Impact: Benefit from improved infrastructure, training, financial assistance, and employment opportunities in the fisheries sector.
* Action Required: Participate in training programs, form or join fisheries cooperative societies, and utilize available resources for sustainable fish farming.
Fisheries Cooperative Societies:
* Impact: Receive financial assistance and support for procurement of fishing nets and other essential resources.
* Action Required: Utilize financial assistance effectively, strengthen cooperative management, and ensure the well-being of members.
National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB):
* Impact: Responsible for supporting newly constituted fisheries cooperative societies in Himachal Pradesh.
* Action Required: Provide financial assistance and guidance to the four identified cooperatives.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A flagship scheme implemented by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, with an investment of ₹20,050 crore to develop the fisheries sector.
Himachal Pradesh: A state in India where the initiatives for augmenting fisheries infrastructure are being implemented under PMMSY.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF): A fund implemented since 2018-19 with a fund size of ₹7,522.48 crore, supporting the establishment of a State-of-the-Art Fisheries Training Centre at Gagret, District Una, Himachal Pradesh.
Gagret, District Una, Himachal Pradesh: Location of a proposed State-of-the-Art Fisheries Training Centre to be established under FIDF.
District Kullu, Himachal Pradesh: Identified as the Lead District to develop the notified cold water fisheries cluster under PMMSY.
District Mandi, Himachal Pradesh: Identified as the Partner District to develop the notified cold water fisheries cluster under PMMSY.
National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB): An organization supporting newly constituted fisheries cooperative societies in Himachal Pradesh with financial assistance.
Gobind Sagar, Koldam, Pong Dam, Chamera, and Ranjit Sagar Thein Dam: Major reservoirs in Himachal Pradesh where beneficiaries have been covered under PMMSY with financial assistance.
O.I.H
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 388
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22NDJULY, 2025
Fisheries Infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh
388. SHRI SURESH KUMAR KASHYAP:
Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased
to state:
(a) the details of the initiatives being implemented for augmenting fisheries infrastructure in
Himachal Pradesh under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana(PMMSY);
(b) the list of the initiatives on which the Government is working to improve employment
opportunities in the fisheries sector in the Himachal Pradesh;
(c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to expand Organic Fish Clusters like
Himachal Pradesh; and
(d) the manner in which the Government is supporting fisheries cooperatives and startups in
Himachal Pradesh under the PMMSY?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)
(a) and (b): The Department of Fisheries, Government of India with effect from the FY2020-
21 has been implementing a flagship scheme “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
(PMMSY)” with an investment of ₹20,050 crore in all States and Union Territories including in the
State of Himachal Pradesh. Under PMMSY, based on project proposals received from the
Government of Himachal Pradesh, fisheries development projects amounting to ₹15,450.52 lakh
with a central share of ₹7,921.83 lakh have been approved. The initiatives implemented in the State
for augmenting fisheries infrastructure include establishment of Biofloc units, Re-circulating
Aquaculture Systems(RAS), fish kiosks, ice plants, cold storages, feed mills, trout and carp
hatcheries, trout raceways, backyard ornamental units, brood banks, live fish vending centres, and
recreational fisheries units, among others. In addition, under the Fisheries and Aquaculture
Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) implemented since 2018-19 with a fund size of ₹7,522.48
crore, a proposal of Government of Himachal Pradesh 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.
The infrastructure, fish culture units and other initiatives implemented in Himachal Pradesh such
as pond farming, trout culture in raceways, fish seed production in hatcheries, ornamental fish
production, fish transportation facilities like motorcycles and three-wheelers with ice boxes,
refrigerated vehicles, cold chain and fish marketing facilities, boats and fishing nets provided to
fishermen and recreational fisheries are also attributed towards generation of direct and indirect
employment opportunities in the State.(c): The Government of Himachal Pradesh has reported that the fish culture is primarily
undertaken through organic methods in both warm and cold water ecosystems. To promote and
strengthen organic and coldwater fisheries in the State, the Government of India has initiated to
establish a Coldwater Fisheries Cluster under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
(PMMSY). Under this initiative, District Kullu has been identified as the Lead District and district
Mandi as the Partner District to develop the notified cold water fisheries cluster in accordance with
the provisions and guidelines laid down under the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) issued for
clusters development under PMMSY.
(d): The Government of India has been supporting the development and strengthening of
fisheries cooperatives in the State of Himachal Pradesh, particularly in the reservoir fisheries sector.
The various forms of financial assistance has been provided to the members of fish cooperative
societies support for procurement of fishing nets and provision of close season assistance. Under
the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), registered reservoir fishermen are
provided with the close season assistance of ₹4,500 per annum, of which ₹2,400 per annum per
beneficiary is provided by the Central Government. The Government of Himachal Pradesh has
reported that over the last three years (2022–23 to 2024–25), a total of 10,151 beneficiaries have
been covered in major reservoirs such as Gobind Sagar, Koldam, Pong Dam, Chamera, and Ranjit
Sagar (Thein Dam), with cumulative financial assistance amounting to ₹2.44 crore under PMMSY.
In addition, the Government of India, through the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB),
is supporting newly constituted four fisheries cooperative societies in Himachal Pradesh with a total
financial assistance of ₹12.00 lakh (₹3.00 lakh per society).
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