Fish seedlings die as ponds freeze in Kumaon

RUDRAPUR: More than 2,000 fish seedlings died as ponds of the fisheries department froze due to severe cold and frost in Champawat district of Kumaon, officials said.

Sanjeev Kumar, district fisheries officer in Champawat, said, “Two of our fishery ponds froze due to severe cold and fish seedlings growing in them died. We tried to save them by filling fresh water but continuous severe cold and frost failed our attempts.”

The department has a fisheries resources and training centre in Nariyal village, around 15 km from the Champawat district headquarters. The department has 12 fish ponds there to rear seedlings for distributing them among fish farmers. “These days, severe cold is being experienced in Champawat and other hill areas of Kumaon which led to damage to fish seedlings,” Kumar said.

He said more than 320 fish farmers are rearing fish to earn livelihood and fish have good demand in the local markets. “Nariyal centre sells or distributes more than 300,000 fish seedlings to fish farmers. Fish varieties like grass carps, silver carps and common carps are advised for farming considering the climate in Champawat,” he said. Kumar said fish seedlings that died in the ponds were of the grass carps variety. “We tried to save them by filling fresh water in the ponds but failed,” he said. Jagdish Rai, a resident of Champawat, said. “Severe cold particularly frost has affected routine life and traffic in the district. Vehicles slip on frosty roads. There are chances of accidents; drivers have to be more careful and keep the speed in control.”