Recently, over 1000 anglers including women, children and men gathered at the Thadlaskein Lake near Jowai in Jaintia Hills to participate in the sixth edition of the Sajar Nangli Fishing Festival in Meghalaya.
Enthusiastic anglers shelled out an entry fee of Rs. 1500 to participate in the event and competed for the bumper prize of Rs 5 lakh.
"We have heard about this competition earlier and it sounded very exciting. I am very impressed with the number of the participants and it is really exciting. Khasi love fishing. All together this was a good experience," said Tredip, a visitor
"Fish is one of the important items in our daily life at the same time people can rear fish at their own house and can sell it in the market and it will help improve their living standards," said S K Lato, promoter.
Currently fish consumption in Meghalaya is around thirty-three thousand metric tons a year whereas production is only seven thousand MT.
The Meghalaya government is planning to launch an aqua culture mission next year and has allocated Rs 37.40 crore under the Special Plan Assistance in 2010-11.
Both state and central governments are also regularly organizing fairs to promote commercialization of fisheries among the locals in the region and spread awareness on the modern methods of cultivating fish. (ANI)