Prayagraj: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) released 30,000 fish fingerlings of Indian major carp species (Catla, Rohu and Mrigal) into the Ganga at Sangam Nose, under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), on Wednesday.The initiative aims to boost fish diversity and restore the river’s ecology.Around 455 kg of fish biomass was introduced into the river during the ranching programme to enhance fish diversity and strengthen the ecosystem.The event was attended by executive secretary of the National Academy of Sciences India (NASI), Prayagraj, Santosh Kumar Shukla, who highlighted the cultural and ecological importance of the Ganga and stressed the need to keep it clean for future generations. Officials from the ICAR-CIFRI explained that the initiative supports the ongoing efforts under the Namami Gange programme to restore the river health and aquatic life.Senior scientists, including Dharm Nath Jha and BR Chavan, briefed the participants on the significance of fish species in maintaining river ecology and the broader objectives of the conservation drive. Representatives from the Uttar Pradesh fisheries department, Ganga Task Force, Ganga Prahari and Ganga Vichar Manch, along with fishermen, pilgrims, fish traders and local residents, participated in the programme and expressed support for the river conservation efforts.
