Jamshedpur’s Jayanti sarovar has impressive fish stock but remains out of bound for anglers 

Jamshedpur Angling Club members forced to keep fingers crossed

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, August 5: The scenic Jayanti Sarovar in Jubilee Park is teeming with fish population even though the reservoir still remains out of bounds for the anglers.

The over 250 anglers, all members of Jamshedpur Angling Club (JAC) are keeping their fingers crossed over the reopening of the Jubilee Park-based sarovar.

The water body is closed for over two years thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. The closure of the sarovar  has allowed the fish to grow and also escape from the bait of the anglers. JAC members revealed the fish stock was impressive with some of them weighing over 15 kg. Fish can even be seen near the drain in front of the Laser Show facility inside the park. Morning walkers feed the fish near the drain.

A member said the impressive fish stock holds no meaning for the members who are still awaiting the reopening of the sarovar. “There is no use of talking about the impressive fish stock when the lake still remains out of bounds for us. The JAC should reopen the lake without any further delay,” a member said, requesting anonymity.

Members lament that when Beldih Lake and Bara Lake can be reopened then why not Jayanti Sarovar. “We are anxious for the re-opening of the lake. It should be reopened like the Beldih and Bara lakes in Jamshedpur,”another member said.

Nasim Khan, a former assistant secretary of JAC said there seems no plausible reason when it comes to reopening of Jayanti Sarovar. “The Beldih and bara lakes as well as other public places have reopened. What is the reason for Jayanti sarovar to remain shut. The city’s angling community are still awaiting the reopening of the lake where the fish stock is very impressive,” he added.

According to him,  Rohu, Catla, Prawn and Mirgals have over grown in the past two years. “Fishlings procured from Bengal and Patamda (in East Singhbhum) and subsequently released into the lake two years back have overgrown. Some of the fish weigh over 15 kg. It is high time. The sarovar should be reopened at the earliest,”Khan said.

Besides the closure of the sarovar, tight security has been deployed near the water body. Fish theft in the night has stopped, providing ample opportunity  for the fish to grow. The closure of the lake has also prevented the JAC from hosting the annual angling competition to mark JRD Tata’s birth anniversary on July 29 for two successive years. The competition was staged at the Beldih lake on July 29 this year where only 45-odd local anglers (read JAC members) tested their patience.