ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Regional Centre (RC) Guwahati in
collaboration with the Directorate of Fisheries (DoF), Govt. of Assam organized an “Awareness-cum-input distribution programme” for popularization of ornamental fisheries in schools of Assam under the NEH component of the Institute at the Centre on 26.03.2025 for the benefit of school children. The programme was organized under the overall guidance of Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore; Dr. S. K. Majhi, Head, ICAR-CIFRI RC, Guwahati. It was coordinated by Dr. B. K. Bhattacharjya, Principal Scientist and Dr. S. Borah, Scientist (Organizing Secretaries); Dr. P. Das, Senior Scientist and Dr. N. Sharma, Scientist (Co-organizing Secretaries) of the Centre. Dr. Sanjay Sarma, District Fishery Development Officer, Kamrup; Dr. D. J. Sharma, Fishery Information Officer; Mr. Ratul Sarma, Assistant Fishery Information Officer from the DoF, Assam graced the programme as Invited
guests. The programme was attended by 70 persons including school teachers, fisheries department officials, Scientists, Technical officers, Research scholars, students and media personnel.
In the inaugural session, Dr. B. K. Bhattacharjya welcomed the participants and dignitaries for the day-long programme and explained the purpose of the programme. Dr. S. K. Majhi outlined research and extension activities carried out by the Institute for development of fisheries in the region. He also highlighted the significance of ornamental fisheries in the region. Dr. D. J. Sharma thanked ICAR-CIFRI for popularizing ornamental fisheries among school students in the state. Dr. S. Sarma explained about the importance local indigenous ornamental fish species. He also assured to provide necessary support to the
schools from the department. Mr. R. Sarma marked ICAR-CIFRI as knowledge hub on fisheries in the region. He urged the school teachers to bring school students for exposure visits to the premier Institute.
Two teachers among the participants expressed their views and thanked ICAR-CIFRI and Fisheries
department for conducting the programme. They assured proper maintenance of aquarium in their
schools. The inaugural session ended with formal vote of thanks by Dr. P. Das. During the technical session, Dr. N. Sharma explained about the importance of aquarium fish keeping.
She also briefed about the different aspect of aquarium management including its installation and maintenance. Mr. B. C. Ray, ACTO of ICAR-CIFRI along with the Aqua technicians of. M. R Aqutech, Bhubaneswar provided demonstration on aquarium set-up.
During the interactive Session, Scientists and Technical personnel of the Centre addressed the queries raised by the participants on different aspect of ornamental fish keeping. They urged the school teachers to promote ornamental fisheries among the students. The programme ended with distribution of 50 aquariums along with accessories and fish among 50 schools representing Kamrup, Kamrup (Metro) and
Nalbari districts of Assam for benefit of the students.