Himachal Govt to set up ₹25-crore integrated aqua park at Nadaun

Taking another stride toward strengthening the rural economy, the Himachal Pradesh government will establish an Integrated Aqua Park at Nadaun in Hamirpur district with an investment of ₹25 crore. Suitable land for the project has already been identified and the Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared by ICAR–CIFA, Bhubaneswar.

The upcoming Aqua Park is envisioned as a hub for employment generation, self-employment and livelihood creation, transforming the fisheries sector into a profitable and sustainable enterprise. It will serve as a centre for the dissemination of modern freshwater aquaculture technologies to the grassroots level, empowering youth and farmers through ventures such as fish seed production, feed formulation, value addition and marketing.

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By ensuring the availability of high-quality fish feed, the park will enhance fish production and profitability for local farmers. It will also feature demonstration units for feed formulation and advanced aquaculture practices, providing hands-on training to unemployed youth and encouraging self-employment in the sector.

As proposed, the park will focus on producing superior-quality seed of Indian Major Carps (Rohu – Jayanti Rohu, Catla – Amrit Catla, Mrigal), Exotic Carps (Hungarian and Amur strains), Minor Carps (Kulwans), Catfishes (Pangasius, Murrels) and Ornamental Fishes (Goldfish, Koi Carp, Guppy, Molly).

Equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, the facility will include modern hatchery units for carps and catfishes, nursery and rearing systems, broodstock raising facilities, advanced aquaculture setups such as Biofloc and Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS), a feed mill, ornamental fish rearing units, a public aquarium, an aqua shop with marketing and incubation facilities, an administrative-cum-laboratory and training complex, a quarantine and wet laboratory, an effluent treatment plant and other essential amenities.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that strengthening the rural economy remains a key priority for the state government, and the fisheries sector holds immense potential to enhance farmers’ income. He directed the concerned department to adopt and promote modern aquaculture practices to ensure remunerative returns for farmers.