Papum Pare Tea Estate at Sonajuli in Arunachal Pradesh began World Fish Migration Day celebration on Saturday with children of the capital complex participating in activities to understand the importance of conserving the fish population.
Themed ‘Connecting fish, rivers and people’, the two-day event commemorating World Fish Migration Day is being organized by the Arunachal chapter of the All India Game Fishing Association, in collaboration with the Mahseer Trust.
The first day witnessed angling (catch and release) activities, a drawing competition, and a field visit to some of the fish ponds in the 40 sq km tea estate which houses 80 fish ponds and a fish hatchery unit besides a tea production unit.
Earlier, Fisheries Officer (HQ) Joram Rupa highlighted the importance of fish conservation for the ecology and for economic sustainability.
Interacting with the anglers, she said that angling is a ‘skill-based sport’ which requires wide knowledge about fish.
She also said that anglers provide important data about fish population, their quality, etc ‘which is instrumental in tackling depleting fish population’.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu’s personal assistant, Dorjee Sona, who is also an avid angler, explained to the children the sport of angling and the right equipment used in the sport.
Highlighting on the idea behind organizing the event at fish ponds instead of rivers, All India Game Fishing Association (AIGFA) state representative Abu Tayeng said it is aimed at making it ‘more participatory’ for the children.
