Soon, tourists to enjoy fishing under state's eco fish tourism project

Now, one can enjoy fishing under the eco fish tourism project — a new concept that will soon be introduced by the state Fisheries department at various spots in the state.eco fish tourism project — a new concept that will soon be introduced by the state Fisheries department at various spots in the state.

The state Fisheries department is all set to develop a comprehensive plan to promote the new project that has already got tremendous response as it was initiated as a pilot project at Nalban in Salt Lake a month ago. This had prompted the department to go for a large scale and chalk out a comprehensive plan. tremendous response as it was initiated as a pilot project at Nalban in Salt Lake a month ago. This had prompted the department to go for a large scale and chalk out a comprehensive plan. for a large scale and chalk out a comprehensive plan. for a large scale and chalk out a comprehensive plan.

The Fisheries department has a plan to start the unique project in five places, namely at Henry Island in Fraserganj, at Chandanpiri, located between Bakkhali and Fraserganj, both in the Sundarbans and at Guskara and Memari in East Burdwan district and also in Digha. The project is expected to start from mid-May. Memari in East Burdwan district and also in Digha. The project is expected to start from mid-May. namely at Henry Island in Fraserganj, at Chandanpiri, located between Bakkhali and Fraserganj, both in the Sundarbans and at Guskara and Memari in East Burdwan district and also in Digha. The project is expected to start from mid-May.

The project was initiated by the fisheries department to attract more people at various tourist spots. A senior official of the state Fisheries department said that two-day-one-night packages for a family of four would cost around Rs 4,000-4,500, depending upon the facilities availed by the people there.

Individuals can also avail the eco-fish tourism packages which would cost less. It was also learnt that the department will engage buses to ferry the tourists from their homes to the spots that have been booked by them. The bus journey would include breakfast and lunch which will include various cuisines of fish. After reaching the spots, battery-run vehicles of the department would help tourists in exploring the spots. Those buses will also drop the tourists home after their trip gets over.

Tourists will also be able to indulge in fishing on the second day of their trip. Tourists would be taken to the waterbodies managed by the Fisheries department. They can draw the nets along with the fishermen and also indulge in the quiet joy of angling. According to a senior official, there would be adequate fish in the waterbodies.

However, tourists will not be allowed to carry their catches home. The fishes caught may be cooked and served to them. An official of the fisheries department said that there may be a provision so that the tourists can buy the fishes and then take them home packed in ice bags.

It was also learnt that the forest department is setting up a watch tower at Chandanpiri area in Namkhana block where from the visitors will be able to have glimpses of Sundarbans.