65 trout fish farms to be set up under 3 proposed projects
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakthunkhwa Fisheries Department has proposed three new mega projects at a cost of Rs. 1123.073 million for next Annual Development Programme (ADP) with a focus on reconstruction of flood-hit trout hatcheries in Kohistan and Allai Batagram districts and strengthening of seafood resources in the province.
The Department would also set up 65 trout fish farms and hatcheries with a production capacity of 78000 kilogram per year at an estimated cost of Rs, 100 million in Malakand and Hazara divisions with assistance of Government and private sectors on 50:50 share bases.
Sharifullah Khan, Director Fisheries Department KP told APP on Friday that three new gigantic projects costing Rs. 1123.073 million and five ongoing schemes costing Rs. 823.073 million have been proposed for ADP 2015-16.
Referring the new schemes, he said, trout hatcheries at Dubair Kohsitan and Allai Batagram districts, which were destroyed by the 2010 floods, would be reconstructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 120 million.
A major project to bolster fisheries resources in southern districts of KP would be launched at an estimated cost of Rs. 100 million, he said, adding hatchery at Tanda Dam would be expanded and modernized.
He said further improvement would be brought at Bannu hatchery besides establishment of carp training centre at DI Khan where training would be provided to people and staff associated with fish farming industry.
Sharifullah said strengthening of fisheries conservation and establishment of trout training Centre at Manshera was also in our priority list .
Referring to five ongoing schemes, he said, development of fisheries and aquaculture in KP, improvement of trout hatchery at Madyan Swat and carp hatchery at Sherabad Peshawar with facilities of training centres, establishment of carp fish hatchery at Swabi for effective management of fisheries resources in Terbella, Khanpur dams were proposed for upcoming fiscal year.
Let hope fish industry flourish.
Under public-private partnership, Sharif Khan said 65 trout fish farms/hatcheries would be established in Malakand and Hazara divisions with an estimated cost of Rs. 100 million with production capacity of 78000 kilogram per year, adding these farms would be setup in Torgar, Manshera, Kohistan, Batagram, Swat, Shangla, Upper Dir and Chitral districts keeping in view of its better climate for trout farming besides provision of free fish breed and training.
Trout hatcheries at Chitral, Upper Dir, Madayn Swat, Shangla and Kaghan are being rehabilitated/revamped to increase fish production besides establishment of fish bio-diversity centre in Swat.
Sharifullah Khan said 55 fish farms on 60 acres land have been established with assistance of private sector in Peshawar, Sawabi, Nowshera and Charsadda districts with 72000 kilogram production capacity per year besides provided free extensive training and breed/food to people associated with fish industry.
As many as 36 fish farms are being constructed in Dir Lower district besides establishment of two watcher huts to curb illegal hunting in rivers.
Trout hatcheries in DI Khan, Kohat and Mardan are being upgraded and extended under Development of Fisheries and Water Resources project costing of Rs. 110.433 million.
Trout hatcheries in Chitral, Upper Dir, Madyan Swat, Shangla and Kaghan Manshera are being rehabilitated with an estimated cost of Rs. 39.200 million for conservation and protection of precious trout fish. Likewise, trout hatcheries in Madyan Swat and Sherabad Peshawar besides training centres are being rehabilitate with an estimated cost of Rs. 80million.
