ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore Strengthens Hilsa Conservation Efforts through Ranching Programme in River Ganga at Farakka

28 June 2026, Farakka

In a significant step towards restoring the iconic Hilsa fishery in the River Ganga, ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, organised a Hilsa Ranching Programme at Farakka under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). The initiative, conducted under the guidance of Dr Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, aims to revive and conserve declining Hilsa populations in the Ganga stretch between Prayagraj and Farakka.

Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha), revered as the pride of Bengal, holds immense cultural, nutritional, and economic significance. Recognising the need for scientific intervention, ICAR-CIFRI has been implementing a comprehensive Hilsa conservation programme since 2020 under NMCG, focusing on stock enhancement, habitat restoration, and sustainable fisheries management.

A major highlight of the programme was the successful release of 110 Hilsa juveniles, reared in circular cages installed in the River Ganga, as part of the ongoing ranching efforts. The initiative is expected to enhance Hilsa recruitment and strengthen fish stocks in the river ecosystem.

Reflecting on the occasion, Dr Dey, remarked that the restoration of Hilsa in the Ganga represents a strategic step towards strengthening India’s Blue Economy by harmonizing biodiversity conservation with sustainable livelihoods and nutritional security. He highlighted that science-based ranching interventions, coupled with effective habitat management, have the potential to revive riverine fishery resources while improving the socio-economic resilience of fishing communities. Dr Dey further noted that the Farakka initiative serves as a promising and scalable model for sustainable fisheries development, demonstrating how ecological restoration can be effectively integrated with inclusive economic growth and long-term resource sustainability.

The programme was organised in collaboration with the Farakka Barrage Project (FBP), National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and the Department of Fisheries, Government of West Bengal. Representatives from the Ministries of Home Affairs, Shipping, and Power reaffirmed their support for scaling up Hilsa conservation activities at Farakka, while NTPC expressed its commitment to further strengthen the programme through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

During the event, experts highlighted the achievements of the Hilsa conservation programme since its inception and discussed future strategies for sustainable management of this valuable fishery resource.

The ranching initiative is expected to contribute significantly to the restoration of Hilsa fisheries in the Ganga, improving livelihood opportunities for local fishing communities. The Farakka model is also emerging as a promising framework for Hilsa restoration in other river systems across India.

(Source: ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore)