Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 56/22

POPULARIZATION OF CIFRI-CAGEGROW FLOATING FEED IN MID-ALTITUDE REGION OF MEGHALAYA

ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI) developed and commercialized CIFRI-CAGEGROW, a floating feed for benefit of fish farmers/ fishers undertaking cage and pen culture in open waters. In order to popularize the feed among the tribal fish farmers in mid-altitude region of Meghalaya, ICAR-CIFRI Regional Centre, Guwahati organized an “awareness-cum-feed distribution programme” at Umsning, Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya in collaboration with Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Meghalaya and Ri-Bhoi Farmers’ Union. The programme was organized under the overall guidance of Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore and Dr. B. K. Bhattacharjya, Head (Acting), ICAR-CIFRI RC, Guwahati. It was organized by Mr. A.K. Yadav and Dr. Pronob Das, Scientists (Organizing Secretaries), Dr. S. Yengkokpam (Sr. Scientist), Dr. D.K. Meena and Dr. S. Borah, Scientists (Co-organizing Secretaries). Mr. F. Hasbar, Fishery Officer, Ri-Bhoi district and another fisheries official of Ri-Bhoi district attended the programme. The programme was attended by the 60 tribal fish farmers of locality under Ri-Bhoi Farmers’ Union led by Mr. D. Majaw, President and Mr. K. Brightstar, Secretary. Representatives from local media were also present in the interactive programme.

Mr. D. Majaw welcomed the participants and dignitaries for the day-long programme. Dr. B. K. Bhattacharjya gave the opening remarks and explained the purpose of the programme. He informed that ICAR-CIFRI has commercialized CIFRI-GI cage, CIFRI-HDPE pen and CIFRI-CAGEGROW floating feed for openwaters. He explained about different activities carried out by the Institute for development of openwater fisheries of Northeast region especially Meghalaya. Dr. Pronob Das explained about the role fish feed in fish culture and different feeding methods along with the scientific merits of the CIFRI-CAGEGROW feed use. Mr. A. K. Yadav informed the participants about the economics of CIFRI-CAGEGROW feed and other technologies developed for openwater fisheries of the region. Mr. F. Hasbar thanked ICAR-CIFRI for their effort for development of fisheries in the state including cage culture in Umiam reservoir. He also explained the different aspects of scientific fish farming.

During the interaction, participants interacted with the Scientists on different aspects of fisheries and aquaculture. Dr. Bhattacharjya urged the participants to adopt scientific fish farming methods for higher production, enhancement of income and livelihood. He also urged the beneficiaries to share the feedback on performance of CIFRI-CAGEGROW feed. On the occasion, a total of 2000 kg CIFRI-CAGEGROW floating feed was distributed to 30 tribal fisher families of the district. Mr. K. Brightstar thanked ICAR-CIFRI for their continuous support to the fishers of Ri-Bhoi Farmers’ Union and promised to monitor proper use of distributed feed successfully.

Press Release No. 57/22

SEMINAR ON RETROFITTING EXISTING DWELLING AND SAFE CONSTRUCTIONS INAUGURATED ON 02.03.2022

A three day seminar on approach to Retrofitting Existing Dwelling and Safe Construction was inaugurated today by Smti. R Lyngdoh, Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Revenue and Disaster Management.

Held at Shillong Club, Shillong, the seminar was organised by the State Disaster Management Authority, Meghalaya in technical collaboration with the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

Speaking as the Chief Guest, Smti. R Lyngdoh remined the gathering of the risk that Meghalaya faces (SDMA) owing to it falling in zone 5 of the seismic zone. Lamenting the unplanned growth of high-rise buildings across the state, she said that such structures could contribute to a disaster in case an earthquake strikes. In addition to numerous initiatives taken by SDMA to create awareness and engage all stakeholders in disaster risk mitigation, she informed that efforts are on to engage the community and volunteers under the Aapda Mitra Scheme and in the 2nd phase of the project 5 districts of the State including East Khasi Hill, West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, West and East Garo Hills District will be included under the scheme. Questioning the safety of buildings, workplaces and hospitals, she stressed on the need to evaluate the safety of such buildings and also on the importance of retrofitting them so as to mitigate as much as we can.

Others who spoke were Prof. Chandan Ghosh, NIDM and Prof. Devesh Walia, NEHU.