Parliament Question: Integrated development of reservoir fisheries

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4209 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1st APRIL, 2026 Integrated development of reservoir fisheries 4209 Dr. Sikander Kumar: Will the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying be pleased to state: (a) the status of implementation framework for the integrated development of 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars announced in Budget 2026-27 and whether the scientific guidelines for these water bodies have been circulated to States and UTs; (b) the details for support mechanism for 200 startups and women-led groups aimed at strengthening the fisheries value chain and reducing post-harvest losses; and (c) the steps taken for geospatial mapping and cluster planning to unlock the additional 20 lakh tonnes of fish production potential in inland reservoirs highlighted by Government? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)` (a): The Government of India in Union Budget 2026-27 has announced the development of fisheries and aquaculture by undertaking integrated development of 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars in the country. In this connection, the Department of Fisheries (DoF), Government of India (GoI) in coordination with States and Union Territories (UTs) has formulated plan of action for integrated development of 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars. In order to harness these untapped resources through sustainable and scientific means, the DoF, GoI in consultation with all States and UTs and stakeholders has formulated a Model Guidelines for Reservoir Fisheries Management and circulated to all States and UTs for its implementation. Additionally, Department of Fisheries, Government of India under the scheme of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has approved integrated development of 23 reservoirs across various States and is actively monitoring the development done under these activities.(b): The Department of Fisheries is actively promoting startups and women-led groups for the development of the fisheries with the aim to strengthen the fisheries value chain and reduce post-harvest losses in the country through schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY), Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) and also by promoting Fisheries Cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs). For such, DoF, GoI under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has approved projects such as (i) establishment of finfish and shellfish hatcheries (ii) establishment of fish feed mills (iii) establishment of fish landing centres (iv) construction and upgradation of ice plants or cold storages (v) installation of cages (vi) stocking of fingerlings (vii) construction of fish retail market and kiosks (viii) fish value added enterprise units among various activities. (c) The Department of Fisheries, Government of India in coordination with States and UTs has formulated plan of action with milestones and deliverables for implementation of Budget Announcement in a time bound manner to achieve the additional 20 lakh tonnes of fish production potential in inland reservoirs. Besides, to maximize the potential of the sector and holistic development of fisheries and aquaculture the Department of Fisheries (DoF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has notified 34 clusters across the country in all States and UTs including Reservoir Fisheries Cluster in Madhya Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) by addressing critical gaps through integration of market networks, upgradation of aquaculture infrastructure, private sector participation in the sector. *****