The first integrated aqua park of Tripura will be built at Satero Miyan Haor in Kailashahar subdivision under the Unakoti district. The aqua park will be spread over an area of 115.83 acres.
Addressing a press conference in Agartala on Friday, Fisheries Minister of Tripura, Sudhangshu Das said a proposal for Rs 99.99 crore was sent to the central government for setting up the integrated aqua park under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). In response, the central government approved Rs 42.39 crore for the first phase of the project. Of this, the central government's share will be 90% and the state government's share will be 10%.
The minister said the project will create employment opportunities for about 1,300 people. It will also increase fish production. The minister expressed hope that the park will play an important role in increasing the income of fish farmers in the future.
He said that the aqua park will have various facilities, including fish seed production, bio-floc complex, fish feed, fish disease diagnostic unit, laboratory services, hostel facilities for students, training facilities for students on fish, cold storage, restaurant and boating for tourists.
The Fisheries Minister also mentioned a few other projects under the PMMSY. He said that initiatives have been taken to implement projects like e-rickshaws for fish sale and environment-friendly fish kiosks. A total of Rs 3.40 crore will be spent on these projects. The central government will have a 90% share in these projects and the state government will have a 10% share. He also gave detailed information about these projects.
Talking about other initiatives, the minister said that the Fisheries Development Board has been constituted for the first time in the state. Besides, Rs 15 crore has been allocated in the budget this year for the Chief Minister's Fisheries Development Scheme.
He said that under the Fisheries Assistance Scheme, about 1,000 fish farmers were given Rs 6,000 each in the financial year 2023-24. The target is to bring 3,000 fish farmers under the scheme in the financial year 2024-25.
At the press conference, he said that it is often seen that fish in the water bodies of fish farmers are destroyed due to vindictive reasons. The department has taken the initiative to compensate them through the "Tripura Fisheries Resource Protection" project to help all such affected fish farmers.
Replying to a question from reporters, the fisheries minister said that 1,529 water bodies across the state will be renovated.
Principal Secretary of Fisheries Department BS Mishra and Officer Santosh Das were also present at the press conference.