Inventiveness of ICAR-CIFRI to empower tribal fishers of Gardanmari, Burdwan
ICAR-CIFRI is working for supporting the livelihoods of the rural-tribal community under
Tribal Sub Plan in various parts of India. In Gardanmari, Bhatar Block, Burdwan ICAR-CIFRI
has initiated a livelihood improvement activity for the Santhal tribe through a wetland fisheries
management since 2016. On 5 th October,2018 an awareness camp was organized at Gardanmari
Village to sensitize the tribal fishers about the importance of Penculture in wetland and also
about raising SIFs into hapas. Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI addressed the queries of
fishers regarding scientific fish framing along with that he also emphasized on vegetable culture
and integrated farming to improve their livelihoods. Dr. P.K Parida,Scientist CIFRI enlighten the
tribal fishers about the importance of Pen Culture in wetland management. Dr. Aparna Roy,
Scientist, CIFRI discuss about the importance of small fishes in nutritional security of the tribal
women. Dr. B.K Das, Director, CIFRI released 15000 fish fingerling in 0.1ha Pen in the
Gardanmari Dighi(10ha) and also release seeds in the hapas for household nutritional security,
installed in the wetland with the active participation of the tribal populace. Saplings of ‘Amrapali
Mango’ were distributed among the villagers for planting around the wetland area. Sri C.N
Mukherjee, CTO, CIFRI explain the tribal villagers about the package of practices of mango
cultivation to get better result from the saplings in coming years. Dr. S. Bhawmik, CTO,CIFRI
informed the fishers about the day to day management practices in the pen. The fish seed release
process in the wetland and hapas were documented by Sri Sujit Chowdhury,ACTO for future
reference. Mr. Antan Hembram, Member of Zilla Parisad,Bhatar Block, Gram Panchyet
Pradhan,Manchanda GP were also present in the programme . More than 100 tribal villagers
participated in the awareness programme including 35 tribal women.