KMC fast tracks fish cultivation in ponds to improve water quality

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will now allow fish cultivation in ponds under the recommendation of borough chairman or councillor if the concerned person has the required trade license.

The move is aimed at fast tracking the process of using more ponds in the city for pisciculture to prevent deterioration of water quality.

The tender process through which the contract of fish cultivation is awarded is time consuming.

"The Mayor has told us to take up fish cultivation in all ponds under the civic body. A meeting was held with the Fisheries department a few days back. The officials of the department will help us to carry the plan," said Swapan Samaddar, Member, Mayor-in-Council (Environment and Heritage )

The Fisheries department has formed co-operatives in parts of the city for pisciculture but the concept has not yielded desired results. There are around 3500 ponds in the city maintained by KMC and by private owners.

The Fisheries department has agreed to provide training in the most simplified manner to people eager to take up fish farming so that people can earn a living through the initiative.

Stressing on the need for conservation of water bodies for maintaining the environmental balance , the KMC has stopped giving sanctions to any building coming up on land after filling up of waterbodies.

The civic body has renovated some 1500 odd ponds in the city till date and by applying 496 A KMC Act it has taken control over the management of some privately-owned water bodies.

Kolkata Municipal Corporation has already designated one separate nodal officer for each of the 16 boroughs to monitor the waterbodies and take steps to thwart attempts of filling.

The nodal officer is assisted by the executive engineer and officials of assessment department of the civic body.