U.P. focuses on utilisation of Gram Sabha ponds, reservoirs, rivers to make fisheries backbone of rural livelihood

The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday (September 27, 2026) said it was aiming to make fisheries a reliable source of income for farmers and fishing communities by improving the utilisation of Gram Sabha ponds, reservoirs and rivers.The State government said more than 80,000 hectares of Gram Sabha ponds had been leased for fisheries activities, 2,205 km of rivers had been brought under organised leasing frameworks, and 342 reservoirs were now actively supporting fish production."Our structured approach has brought transparency, efficiency, and stronger community participation in fisheries management," Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Additional Chief Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Department, told The Hindu. He said the expansion in scale and coverage had significantly increased fish output while creating employment opportunities for thousands of rural households. Fish production had risen from 6.29 lakh tonnes to 15.90 lakh tonnes in the past eight years, he said.Mr. Meshram, a 1995-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, said the focus on scientific fish culture and improved resource management was also helping farmers achieve sustainable growth without depleting ecological resources. Access to government schemes, modern practices and collective investment models had led to higher productivity and better income stability, he said."Our initiative strongly aligns with long-term goals of utilising underused water resources efficiently, enhancing farmers' incomes through targeted schemes, promoting sustainable fisheries management practices and balancing economic growth with ecological sustainability," the Additional Chief Secretary added. Published - September 28, 2026 03:36 pm IST