The inland fishery sources in the tribal areas are mainly rivers, rivulets and hill streams. On account of implementation of major and medium irrigation projects in the tribal areas, a large number of reservoirs have come up. Nearly, 97000 ha. of water sheets in the form of tanks and reservoirs are available in the tribal areas for the development of fisheries. Particularly in the inland Districts, fishing is a part time vocation of the tribals. Since, they conduct fishing by traditional methods in the small streams, rivulets and seasonal rivers, the fishes caught by the tribals are primarily utilised for their own consumption and very small portion of it sometimes sold in the market. The methods adopted for catching fish by the tribals are of very primitive type, such as catching fish by cloth, use of herbicides for stunning the fish in the pools, etc. However, during the past decade, efforts have been made to introduce the practice of fish culture in ponds and tanks, so that the tribals could utilise the man made water resource for fish production and earn their livelihood. An outlay of Rs.119.35 lakh has been provided in the Annual Tribal Sub Plan, 2014-15 for this sector.
The main beneficiaries under the fisheries programme are traditional fisherman in the state, who though they are backward, are not included in the category of Scheduled Tribes. Therefore, the participation of Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries in the programme of fisheries development gets a little restricted. This programme has to be implemented in such a way, so as to avoid conflict between the traditional fisherman and the non-fisherman tribals for the same water resources.
The salient features of some of the important schemes included in the Tribal Sub Plan of 2014-15 are described below :-
Fish Seed Production
Fish seed of culturable varieties of fish is of prime importance to augment production of fish from the impounded water. The requirement of fish seed for optimum stocking in the water resources of the State estimated to be 3 lakh ha. area, is to the tune of 60 crore which includes 10 crore for tribal areas. However, the present stocking level of the State is only 30 crore. There is, therefore, considerable shortage in fish seed production. With a view to achieving self-sufficiency in seed production, it is proposed to extend the existing farms, wherever possible and also to establish new fish seed farms in tribal areas. An outlay of Rs.63.50 lakh is proposed under the scheme in the Tribal Sub Plan of 2014-15.
Fish Farming in impounded water
The main objective of this scheme is to bring more and more culturable water areas under fish culture. Under the scheme, seed is supplied for 5 years at subsidised rate to the fisheries co-operative and local bodies for stocking. The Scheme envisages increase in fish production and thereby to provide employment opportunities to the rural tribals. An outlay of Rs.31.97 lakh has been proposed for 2014-15.
Development Fisheries Co-operative Societies
It is necessary to improve the working of this fisheries co-operative societies and to strengthen them economically. For this purpose, under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to the fisheries co-operative societies in tribal areas in the form of managerial subsidy and share capital contribution. This assistance is given to the societies for the first five years after they are formed. The recovery of 50 percent capital contribution is done after 10 years and the balance 50 percent amount is recovered after 15 years. An outlay of Rs.0.64 lakh is proposed for this scheme for 2014-15 and this amount is budgetted.
Assistance for purchase of fishery requisites
Under the scheme, financial assistance is given to the tribal fishermen in the form of subsidy for various items for fishery requisites like, nylon twine, readymade nets, construction of small boats, etc. An outlay of Rs.22.24 lakh is proposed for this scheme for the year 2014-15.
Fish Farmer’s Development Agency
For this Scheme Rs.1.0 Outlay has been Sanctioned for the year 2014-15. The Scheme is centrally Sponsored with 75% central share, 25% state share. The scheme aims to promote intensive aquaculture practises in rural areas.
Thus, a total outlay of Rs.119.35 lakh has been provided in the tribal sub-plan of 2014-15 under this sector.
