GENERAL

FISHERIES

Water resources.

The district is traversed by the Wardha and Penganga rivers, along the northern and southern boundaries, respectively. The Wardha has two important tributaries, the Bembala and Nirguda; the Penganga has six important tributaries, viz., the Pus, Arunavati, Adan, Waghadi, Khuni and Vaidharbha. Most of these tributaries flow for the greater part of the year. In the district, there are 15 perennial and 50 seasonal tanks, having a total water-spread area of about 1,700 acres. The ownership of these tanks is as follows: -

It is proposed to undertake pisciculture in some of the tanks belonging to the Irrigation and Power Department. Of the total water-spread, the area surveyed is about 1,100 acres so far. The important tanks of Yeotmal district are as under:-

Important Fresh-Water Fauna.

Considering the total water-spread area in the district, the scope for development of fisheries is comparatively small.

Important varieties of commercial fishes, occurring naturally in the water resources in the district are as follows: -

The fish catch from rivers, tributaries and large tanks comprises mainly of murrels and catfishes. Prawn fishery, mainly of Macrobrachium malcolmsonii, is conducted in the rivers during the period from February to June every year, the peak season being April-May. The total catch of this prawn during this period approximates 5,000 kg. This prawn is considered a great delicacy and is sold at 2-3 prawns per rupee.

Craft and Gear.

The craft which is being mainly used by the fishermen in the district is the "Donga", which is a dugout canoe having various sizes of 15' to 25' costing Rs. 225 to Rs. 300. depending upon the size. Common gear used for fishing is "Bhawarjal" or the cast net. Other types of nets that are being used in the district are-

(1) "Pillani" or a triangular scoop net.

(2) "Jappa", "Tangar" and '"Zorali" with meshes varying from 2" to 5' at different places in the district.

(3) " Attaki", a gill net, which is mainly operated in deep tanks.

(4) Long lines for catching predatory fishes such as murrels and catfishes. The baits used for this purpose are earthworms and small toads.

Besides nets, traps made of bamboo strips are also used as fixed contrivances in the form of tunnel shape for catching fish.

Sport fishing for murrels, using either live fishes or worms as bait, is also undertaken in the district on a small scale.

Material used for fabricating most of these gears has been cotton twine; but in the recent years fishermen have realised the advantage of using synthetic fibres and are progressively replacing cotton twine mostly With nylon. The synthetic material, although considerably costlier than the cotton twine, is cheaper in the long run considering its utility and advantages; the department encourages the use or nylon by giving subsidy to the fishermen.

Fishermen.

There are about 5,000 fishermen in the district out of whom about 3,500 fishermen are engaged in the fishing industry; for the rest, fishing is a subsidiary means of livelihood. The fishermen belong to the sub-castes Bhanari; Bendora; Ahir; Machhindra; Bastala and Kahar.

Developmental activities.

The main emphasis for development of fisheries in the district is laid on expanding piscicultural practices in the suitable water resources of the district, particularly with reference to major carp culture. As the natural waters in the district are lacking in the fish seed resources, the water resources are being stocked with fish seed imported from Bengal. However, increasing efforts are being made to produce the requisite fish seed in the Vidarbha region for necessary stocking in the water resources of the district. With a view to increasing the intensity of pisciculture, the quantity of fry of major carps stocked is increasing from year to year. It is estimated that nearly two million fry will be required for utilising potentials of water resources in the district, as against the present stocking of 6,50,000 fry per annum. In the socio-economic field, fishermen of the district have, so far, been organised to form nine co-operative societies with a total membership of 428 and a share capital of Rs. 39,165. Financial assistance is given to the societies by the grant of subsidy on purchase of fishery requisites, loan and subsidy for construction of rearing and nursery tanks and desilting and renovating tanks and reduction in price of imported carp fry with a view to increase the stocking intensity of the tanks for increasing fish production.

For undertaking fisheries development activities in the district, an Assistant Superintendent of Fisheries has been appointed exclusively for looking after fisheries work in the district. He works under the direct supervision of the Superintendent of Fisheries, Nagpur.

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