v    RESEARCH PROJECT COMPLETED

Ø   Studies on the trout farming in Himachal Pradesh. (ICAR).

Ø   Studies on cost benefit ratio on fish seed production in Himachal Pradesh.

Ø   Study on histochemistry of pituitary gland and nutrition of Mahseer.(ICAR)

Ø   Hydro biological study of high altitude stream Pabbar with particular reference to fish production of zone II, Himachal Pradesh (ICAR)

Ø   Ecobiological studies of three major carps in relation to the agro climatic zone II of Himachal Pradesh.

Ø   Fish faunal resources of Beas drainage system.

Ø   Breeding of golden Mahseer in captivity (ICAR)

Ø   Dissemination of fish farming technology among the women farmers of Himachal Pradesh. (DBT)

Ø   Aquaculture management in cold-water – Evaluation of Mahseer Fishery potential and its farming feasibility for conservation in Himalayan region (NATP)

Ø   Growth performance of major carps under different ecobiological conditions   and feed conversion ratio in zone-II of Himachal Pradesh. (H.P. State).

Ø   Studies on the genetic improvement of mirror carp and scale carp by selective breeding. (H.P. State)

Ø   Biology and growth performance of culturable species with special emphasis on cold water fisheries. (H.P. State).

Ø   Studies on survey, identification and cataloguing of fish faunal resources of Himachal Pradesh.(H.P. State).

Ø   Empowerment of women through aquaculture interventions. (DBT)

         Research Projects under Progress

• Revolving Fund Scheme.

• Ornamental fish Breeding

SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH accomplishments 

Ø     Evolved a polyculture fish model for the agroclimatic zone II of H.P. which includes three exotic carps i.e. common carp (Cyprinus carpio communis), Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrics). In this developed technology, the above mentioned three major carps are the best amenable species for culture in the hills above 800m msl where other species of the major carp do not thrive well due to harsh climate of the mountain region. The production efficiency of this model has been worked out to be as high as 5-tones/ hac. / Year at the stocking density of 15000 fingerlings/hac. and the stocking ratio of 3:2:1 or 2:2:1.

Grass carp

Common carp

Silver carp

The cost Benefit ratio of this model is quite remunerative:

                                  Area of the pond        0.1Hectare

Recurring Expenditure:

Cost of 1500 fingerlings @ Rs. 100/100 fingerlings    :    Rs. 1500

    Cost of preparation of pond                                      :    Rs. 675

    Wages of labour engaged                                         :    Rs. 1825

    Cost of feed (400 Kg)                                                         :     Rs. 3000

    Miscellaneous Expenditure                                       :     Rs. 1000

                    Total Expenditure                                    :    Rs. 8000

                    Total Production                                      :    500 Kg.

Income :       

          Total Income(@ Rs. 50 per Kg.)                           :   Rs. 25,000

          Net  Profit                                                         :   Rs.25000-Rs.8000  =  Rs. 17000

Ø     A comprehensive list of 57 species of fish faunal resources of Beas drainage system has been complied and published after conduting extensive survey of this river system.

Ø     The genetic improvement of common carp by selective breeding  has enhanced the production efficiency, survivability and fecundity of the species.

Ø     Studies on rainbow trout culture have revealed that the altitude is not only detrimental factor for trout culture but it is the quantity and quality of available water as such it can be cultured at the lower elevation up to 1000msl. The conventional slaughterhouse waste/meat based feeding should be replaced by fish meal based pelleted feed for trout farming in Himachal Pradesh.

Ø     Studies on Mahseer breeding and histochemistry of pituitary gland revealed that there are four phases of breeding season and presence of LTH cells in lotic water specimens.  The STH-cells are significantly large in pond reared Mahseer as compared to gonadotrophs and absence of LTH cells  are indicating factor for the delayed maturity in pond.

Ø     Under the project dissemination of fish farming technology among women farmers, 31 motivation camps and 12 training programme were organized as a result a total of 287 women farmers were benefited and 132 farmers have already adopted the fish farming .

Ø     Under the project “Aquaculture management in cold-water – Evaluation of Mahseer Fishery potential and its farming feasibility for conservation in Himalayan region”, ten potential sites of Mahseer breeding along the River Beas and Giri has been identified where a sizable population of Mahseer species still thrives well. Mahseer may not prove to be a candidate species in the hills in as much as its growth performance is very less as compare to the other carps. As such this species may be conserved in the natural water only for sport fishery. Mahseer does not attain sexual maturity in smaller pond (below 300m²).