HP emerges as major trout-producing state

PRODUCTION IS LIKELY TO TOUCH RECORD 685 METRIC TONNES DURING THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh has emerged as a major trout fish producing state in the country, with the production likely to touch record 685 metric tonnes during the current financial year, a government spokesperson said.

The state government is planning to commercialise the sector and has decided to open trout fish outlets in Shimla, Chamba and Kangra under a centrally sponsored scheme, Blue Revolution, in coming days.

“The state has set a target of 800 metric tonnes trout fish production in 2020-21 while 950 metric tonnes in 2021-22,” said fisheries minister Virender Kanwar.

Trout Fishery has been introduced in 600km riverine length at higher altitude of cold water streams in snow-fed rivers of Beas, Sutlej and Ravi, which are considered conducive for trout farming in the hill state. Total 568.443 metric tonnes trout fish production valuing ₹2,558 lakh was recorded in the state during the year 2018-19 in seven trout fish production district of Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Kinnaur, Chamba, Kangra and Sirmaur.

The department has chalked out ambitious marketing strategy for sale of trout fish and to develop 940 trout units as revenue-earning centres to boost economy activities in the sector, including establishing trout clusters for marketing through mobile fish vans.

Presently, around 50% of trout produced is being sold outside the state mainly in five-star hotels in New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

As many as eight trout farms have been set up at Patlikuhal and Hamni in Kullu district, Holi Thaila and Bhandal in Chamba district, Barot in Mandi district, Sangla in Kinnaur district and Dhamwari in Shimla district to boost production.

The government has decided to set up 29 trout hatcheries in private sector in seven districts—kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Kinnaur, Chamba, Kangra and Sirmaur. Each hatchery will have a trout ova production capacity of two lakh annually.