The Centre has granted approval for the establishment of an Integrated Aqua Park in Sitarganj, Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand, as per an official statement. This significant project, set to be constructed at a cost of Rs 44.50 crore, will receive a central government contribution of Rs 40.05 crore through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
The decision to set up the Aqua Park in Sitarganj was endorsed by the Project Appraisal Committee of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, according to an official release. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the approval, emphasizing the positive impact it would have on fish production, as well as the income of farmers and fishermen in the state.
The Integrated Aqua Park will introduce a novel and innovative approach by consolidating various fisheries-related activities at a single location. The components of the park will include a Pangasius and tilapia hatchery, biofloc unit, recirculation unit, ornamental fisheries hatchery and rearing unit, processing unit, training and incubation centre, and a quarantine unit, among others.
The Aqua Park is expected to generate 1.8 crore high-quality fish seeds, produce 250 metric tonnes of fish, and process 2800 tonnes of fish annually. In the initial years, the establishment of the Aqua Park is projected to benefit 5,815 individuals or fish farmers each year, with an increase to 10,445 beneficiaries from the 10th year of the scheme.
This initiative aligns with the broader goal of enhancing fisheries-related activities, boosting production, and creating sustainable opportunities for the farming and fishing communities in Uttarakhand.