TIRUVALLA : The Polachira fish hatchery at Kaviyoor near here is fast emerging as the main centre for hatching indigenous freshwater fish breeds. “The government had allocated `5 crore for the basic developments at the fish hatchery. The biggest chunk of the funds was set apart for Polachira. The Harbour Engineering Department has been entrusted with the construction of pond at the hatchery,” Fisheries Department sources said.Environmental activists and farmers had taken up the issue of freshwater breeds’ protection with various governments.
The inland fish harvesting during the monsoon season is popular in state’s villages.
Presently inland fishing depends on harvesting crossbreeds like ‘Rohu’, ‘Katla’ and ‘Tilapia’ which were released into rivers and other water bodies by the Fisheries Department every year.
Besides, the department has provided elaborate facilities at various freshwater farms to increase production of indigenous breeds.Local fish breeds like ‘kari’, ‘kalladamutti’ have been hatched at Polachira farm.
Other local breeds like ‘varal’, ‘mushi’, ‘attuvala’, and ‘manjakkoori’ will also be hatched at the hatchery,” said S Jayasree, assistant director of the Polachira fish hatchery.