Chhattisgarh Embarks on a New Era in Fisheries Development

Raipur, July 21

Chhattisgarh is all set to witness a new era in the fisheries sector. With the relentless efforts of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai and support from the Central Government, the state’s first Aqua Park will be established in the Hasdeo Bango reservoir in Korba district. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, the Centre has sanctioned over ₹37.10 crore for this project. The Aqua Park will be developed over several hundred acres in the submergence zones of Etmanagar and Satrenga. Once operational, the park is expected to bring about a revolutionary transformation in the fisheries landscape of the state. From fish production and processing to marketing, export and aqua tourism, this initiative is poised to significantly enhance the income of local communities. CM Shri Sai has expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the Central Government for approving the funds for the project.

The Aqua Park, to be developed in the submergence area of Hasdeo Bango reservoir, will feature two key zones. At Etmanagar, facilities such as a feed mill, fish processing plant, hatchery, and recirculatory aquaculture systems will be set up. Meanwhile, in Satrenga, infrastructure to promote aqua tourism, including an aqua museum and other visitor amenities, will be developed. The Etmanagar hub will encompass a complete value chain—from fish production to processing and even export. Hatcheries will produce fish seed, while the feed mill will produce nutritional supplements. The fish processing plant will handle cleaning, deboning, filleting, and high-quality packaging for international markets.

Apart from Etmanagar’s industrial hub, an Aqua Museum will be set up in Satrenga. Already a major waterbody tourist destination, Satrenga will host various fish species for public display. Facilities like angling desks, cafeterias, floating houses, motorboats and water sports will also be introduced, boosting tourism in the region. This surge in tourism is expected to generate local employment and uplift rural livelihoods.

*Aqua Park Will Give New Direction to Chhattisgarh’s Fisheries Sector: CM Vishnu Deo Sai*

Upon receiving approval for the Aqua Park, CM Shri Sai extended his best wishes to the state’s fish farmers and said that the project will not only introduce advanced fish farming techniques to the people but will also revolutionise Chhattisgarh’s fisheries sector through its world-class processing and packaging unit. He highlighted that Chhattisgarh’s tilapia fish has a high demand overseas, and the park will now open global trade avenues for the state’s fish farmers. He hailed the Aqua Park as a landmark decision towards making the state self-reliant in fisheries.

*Currently, Fish Farming is Done in Around 800 Cages; Over 160 Fisherfolk Benefiting*

Presently, nearly 800 cages are operational in the submergence area of the Hasdeo Bango reservoir. Under the guidance of fisheries department officials and technical experts, about 160 members from 9 fisheries societies are engaged in cage culture. Each member has been allotted five cages, earning an average annual net income of ₹90,000. Members like Deepak Ram Manjhiwar, Amar Singh Manjhiwar and Devmati Uike shared that cage culture has not only given them employment but also improved their financial conditions due to increased fish production. The region records an annual production of approximately 1,600 metric tonnes of fish. This culture model has provided direct employment to 70-80 individuals and supports 20-25 vendors and small retailers with daily fish supplies. With support from experts and officials, locals have been trained in advanced fish farming techniques. The major species produced here are Tilapia and Pangas. Notably, Tilapia is in high demand in the US and is currently being exported in limited quantities. With the establishment of the Aqua Park, plans are in place to boost its production and expand exports to the US and European markets. The resultant growth in export will attract greater local participation in fish farming and accelerate regional economic development.

With the expansion of the Aqua Park in Etmanagar and Satrenga and the establishment of demonstration units, tourism is also expected to surge. Visitors from across the country will be able to enjoy entertainment and relish various fish delicacies. This too will open up new employment avenues for the locals and further enhance their income.