Parliament Question: Policy for promoting fish farming in upstream dam and reservoir areas

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2143 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11th MARCH, 2026 Policy for promoting fish farming in upstream dam and reservoir areas 2143. Dr. Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade: Will the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying be pleased to state: (a) whether Government is aware of the significant untapped potential of fish farming in upstream dam and reservoir areas for livelihood generation and additional revenue to the Union and State Governments and if so, the present status thereof; (b) whether any specific policy, guidelines or scheme has been formulated to promote scientific fish farming in such areas and if so, the details thereof, and (c) if not, whether Government proposes to frame a dedicated policy, in consultation with State Governments and other stakeholders, to harness this potential and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH (a) to (c) : The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Government of India (GoI) has taken various steps to promote fisheries and aquaculture in the upstream dam and reservoir areas under schemes and programmes as it is one of the important source of fish production in the country. In order to harness these untapped resources, 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. The DoF, GoI under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has supported various activities to promote reservoir fisheries and aquaculture such as (i) establishment of 62,836 unit of cages and (ii) 545 hactare of pens and (iii) stocking of fingerlings in more than 3.0 lakh hectare and (iv) Integrated development of 23 reservoirs at a cost of Rs.2,171.37 crores. Further, during the Union budget 2026-27, Integrated Development of 500 Reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars has been announced. *****