The move, officials inform, is to boost pisciculture in the fresh waters of the state
The Maharashtra government is toying with the idea of bringing all rivers in the state under its ambit to regulate their waters.
The intention is to start auctioning the rivers' waters so as to earn revenue from fisheries and boost pisciculture in fresh waters. The Department of Fisheries has been asked to prepare a feasibility report on the matter.
"As of now, rivers are not in anyone's possession. So many people catch fresh water fish and sell them in the market. This needs to be regulated and streamlined. Besides, this plan aims to support farmers and fishermen in a big way," a senior government official told DNA.
The official said a government resolution in this regard would be suffice to bring all rivers under state's purview. The plan also includes taking possession of Pazar Talav (percolation ponds used for fisheries) which are currently regulated by the Zilla Parishad, said the official.
The idea is said to be the brainchild of Mahadev Jankar, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries.
Jankar said, "It is still in the planning stage. Once ready and approved by the cabinet, it will be implemented as soon as possible."
Fisheries sector contributes a lot in socio-economic development of the state. It is one the major source of livelihood for farmers. Last year, the government launched a scheme to promote cultivation of freshwater fish in water reservoirs using 'cage culture'. It is unclear as of now if the cage culture will be used in rivers as well.
Maharashtra is famous for its varied freshwater resources with 49 rivers and tributaries. A number of fishing communities have developed in response to these favourable factors. These communities include indigenous groups who depend completely on fish and other aquatic resources for their subsistence and also the subsistence fishers or opportunists who depend partly on fish. The state's fish production is estimated to be 5.50 lakh tons per annum which earns over Rs 1,500 crore in foreign exchange, as per the statistics of the Fisheries department. Of this, nearly 1.5 lakh tons a year comes from fresh water fish, which is the fourth largest among states.
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