SAMBALPUR: Fish population in Hirakud Dam Reservoir (HDR) is gradually declining with many species becoming extinct. It has affected livelihood of more than 5000 fisherman dependent on the reservoir.
While Fisheries officials attributed the decline to over-fishing, a closer look reveals discharge of effluent to the reservoir by industries and overdrawing of water have resulted in declining fish population.
Spread over 74,592 hectare, the Hirakud Dam Multi Purpose Project had irrigation, flood control, power generation, water transportation besides fishing on its agenda. While water transportation to Chhattisgarh and across the dam to Jharsuguda and Bargarh district has been completely abandoned due to undergrowth and risk involved, not much has been done to promote fishing even though it has the potential to meet the fish requirement of the State.
Reports said as many as 140 species of fish have become extinct in last six decades. Investigations revealed there were 183 fish species in the HDR when it was constructed in the late ‘50s. The number has now come down to 43. Moreover, out of the 43 species, only 18 species are consumed by the people while the others are released back into the HDR.
The maximum catch was recorded in 1980-81 when 843 metric tonne (MT) of fish were netted, the lowest was recorded in 2004-05 when just 151.54 MT of fish were caught. Records reveal the slide began in 1990- 91 when 332.80 MT fish were netted. In 1991-92 the catch was 380.80 MT, in 1992-93 it was 336.90 MT, in 1995-96 it was 358.60 MT while in 1996-97 only 267.30 MT fish were netted. In 1997-98 the catch was reduced to 260.20 MT while in 1998-99 it was 274.80 MT and in 1999-2000 it was 259.24 MT. Similarly in 2000-01 the catch was 235 MT, while in 2001-02 it was 186.31 MT, in 2002-03 it was 199.50 MT, in 2003-04 it was 163.78 MT, in 2004-05 the catch was 151.54 MT, in 2005-06 it was 182 MT, in 2006-07 it was 205 MT, in 2007-08 it was 217.53 MT and in 2008-09, 245.15 MT fish were caught.
Contacted, assistant director, Fisheries-cum-chairman Fish Farmer Development Agency (FFDA) Jeokim Lakra said fishing during the ban period when the fish breed and use of zero mesh size nets are responsible for the decline in fish population. He said awareness campaign among the fishermen are being organised, but water pollution with effluents flowing down from Chhattisgarh industries, drawing of water by industries and release of warm water back into the HDR are affecting the breeding of fish. If patrolling is undertaken in the HDR, use of fine mesh size dragnets could be stopped helping spawns to grow into fish.