Seraikela: Lack of rain taking toll on district pisciculture

Mail News Service

Saraikela, July 8: Due to insufficient rainfall, the situation of drought is emerging in Saraikela-Kharsawan district. This has raised concerns among fish farmers, as the fish ponds and lakes have almost dried up. Progressive fish farmers and fishery enthusiast Radhakrishna Kaibarto, who has been honoured with a state-level award, stated that during the season, they used to prepare 70 to 80 quintals of fish spawn (or fish fry) and distribute them to the local fish farmers. However, the current situation is such that there is no water left in the ponds and lakes even for fish spawn production.

Kaibarto explained, “Nurseries for fish spawn production are usually prepared in seasonal ponds, but due to insufficient rainfall, almost 80% of the ponds cannot be used for fish spawn deposition. In June, the ponds are cleaned and fish fry is stocked. If sufficient rainfall does not occur within the next 10 days, the situation of fish farming could worsen.”

This situation has also affected the livelihoods of hundreds of families involved in the fishery business in the district. Approximately 3 to 4 quintals of fish, including jhinga (small prawns) and gonga (water snails), are sold daily in areas such as Saraikela, Sinidungri, Kolaswara, and Mahalimaroop. Several families depend on this fish business to sustain themselves. The impact of the current drought is also visible on rural fishery activities. Many impoverished rural men and women catch jhinga fish using small nets made of cut or sewn fabric from local water sources such as ponds and rivers. They sell these fish in local markets to support their families. The disappearance of fish from water sources, especially jhinga and gonga, is causing distress among those involved in the business of catching and selling them. The employment of hundreds of underprivileged rural families is also at risk.

Radhakrishna Kaibarto, the Chairman of the Matsya Jeevi Sahyog Samiti, introduced the Vietnamese pangasius fish production in the district in 2012. Since then, the Saraikela-Kharsawan district has gained recognition on the national map for its pisciculture activities. Kaibarto, who has been honoured with various state-level awards, has also visited Israel in 2018 as part of an exposure visit.

­Current rainfall status in the district

In June, the average rainfall in the district was 50.7 mm below normal. The rainfall recorded in various blocks includes 76.1 mm in Saraikela, 118.4 mm in Kharsawan, 95.6 mm in Kuchai, 73.5 mm in Gamharia, 28.7 mm in Rajnagar, 64.4 mm in Chandil, 51.4 mm in Nimdih, 76.0 mm in Ichagarh and 65.0 mm in Kukdu. So far, in July, only Saraikela block has received 5.4 mm of rainfall. Apart from that, there has been no significant rainfall in the district. The lack of continuous rainfall is preventing the replenishment of water in fields and ponds as required.