Guwahati: ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Regional Centre (RC), Guwahati, in collaboration with the Directorate of Fisheries (DoF), Government of Assam, organized an “Awareness-cum-Input Distribution Programme” to promote ornamental fisheries in schools across Assam. The initiative, conducted under the NEH component of ICAR-CIFRI, aimed to educate school children on the significance of ornamental fish farming and aquarium management.
The event was held under the leadership of Dr. B. K. Das, Director of ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, and Dr. S. K. Majhi, Head of ICAR-CIFRI RC, Guwahati. It was coordinated by Dr. B. K. Bhattacharjya and Dr. S. Borah, with support from Dr. P. Das and Dr. N. Sharma as co-organizers.
Inaugural Session Highlights
Welcoming the participants, Dr. B. K. Bhattacharjya emphasized the importance of the programme, while Dr. S. K. Majhi elaborated on the institute’s efforts in fisheries research and extension, particularly the role of ornamental fish farming in the region.
Dr. D. J. Sharma, Fishery Information Officer, commended ICAR-CIFRI for its efforts in introducing ornamental fisheries to school students. Dr. Sanjay Sarma, District Fishery Development Officer, Kamrup, highlighted the importance of indigenous ornamental fish species and assured departmental support to schools. Mr. Ratul Sarma, Assistant Fishery Information Officer, encouraged schools to engage with ICAR-CIFRI for exposure visits, recognizing it as a knowledge hub for fisheries research.
Technical and Interactive Sessions
During the technical session, Dr. N. Sharma explained the benefits of aquarium fish keeping and provided insights into aquarium installation and maintenance. Additionally, Mr. B. C. Ray, ACTO of ICAR-CIFRI, alongside technicians from M.R. Aqutech, Bhubaneswar, conducted a live demonstration on setting up aquariums.
The interactive session allowed scientists and technical personnel to address queries from participants, urging school teachers to actively promote ornamental fisheries among students.
Aquarium Distribution Initiative
Concluding the event, 50 schools from Kamrup, Kamrup (Metro), and Nalbari districts received aquariums complete with accessories and fish to enhance students’ learning experience. Teachers expressed their appreciation for the initiative and committed to maintaining the aquariums in their respective schools.
This initiative marks a significant step towards fostering interest in ornamental fisheries among students, encouraging future participation in the field.
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