Centre releases 43cr for Tripura aqua park

Agartala: Ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying has released the first installment of Rs 43 crore to Tripura govt for an integrated aqua park in Unokoti district to bridge the gap of fish supply.Tripura has a gap of around 32MT fish supply at present that is being met through importing from other states, said minister of fisheries Sudhangshu Das on Saturday while addressing the annual fish festival here. "Since Tripura lacks coastal areas or deep-water bodies, so artificial aquaculture infrastructure is inevitable for increasing fish production and a natural abandoned water body in Dolugoan area of Kailashahar has been projected to make an aqua park, which will also open a huge employment opportunity" he said.The state had submitted a Rs 100 crore proposal to the central govt. The proposal has been sanctioned and the ministry has disbursed the first installment. The aqua park is expected to produce 2.5MT of fish annually, reducing the state's dependence on fish imports from West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Bangladesh.Das said fisheries and animal resources will provide financial support to farmers. The agriculture and allied sector have been a key contributor to GSDP and played a crucial role in stabilising India's economy during the pandemic.