The Fisheries and Fishermen’s Welfare Department has completed the release of 11.20 lakh fingerlings in rivers, lakes, and ponds across the district.
The initiative is part of a State-level river fish-stocking project aimed at enhancing fish resources in the State. As part of the project, fingerlings were released in the Bhavani and Cauvery rivers, as well as in several lakes and ponds. Initially, the department planned to stock 50,000 fingerlings each in Rivers Bhavani and Cauvery. During the first phase in November last year, 20,000 fingerlings were released near the Appakudal–Kavundapadi bridge area of the Bhavani River and another 20,000 near the Kooduthurai stretch of River Cauvery.
Officials said the release of five lakh fingerlings each in both rivers has now been completed. In addition, 1.20 lakh fingerlings have been released in lakes and ponds across the district. Native fish species such as Sail Carp and Rohu were released following surveys conducted in water bodies with water availability for more than 10 months.
Based on the survey, fingerlings were released at around 100 locations. Officials said the project would help conserve native fish species, increase the availability of low-cost protein-rich food, improve livelihoods, prevent habitat degradation, and support ecological balance.
