Umiam, Ri Bhoi, July 31: In a push to strengthen women-led livelihoods, ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute on Thursday distributed coracles to 25 tribal women fisher families at Umiam Reservoir.
The programme was organized by ICAR-CIFRI Regional Centre, Guwahati, in collaboration with the Ri-Bhoi Farmers’ Union and the Meghalaya Department of Fisheries under the NEH & TSP initiative. The beneficiaries are engaged in cage culture and fishing activities in the reservoir.
Officials said the initiative aims to improve access to fisheries-based livelihoods and encourage greater participation of women in managing Umiam’s fishery resources.
D. Majaw, President of the Ri-Bhoi Farmers’ Union, lauded ICAR-CIFRI for its continued technical support in boosting fish production and creating sustainable income opportunities for reservoir-dependent communities.
Dr. Pronob Das, Senior Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI, said the institute is promoting cage culture, culture-based fisheries, aqua-tourism and biodiversity conservation at Umiam through a participatory model. “We are particularly focused on bringing more women into fisheries and allied activities,” he said.
A. Kakati, Technical Officer, briefed the women on safe handling of coracles and standard procedures for fishing and cage culture.
Speaking for the group, beneficiary Ms. Banri L. Nongbri thanked ICAR-CIFRI for supporting women fishers in the region.
The coracle distribution is being seen as a key step toward sustainable fisheries development and socio-economic empowerment of tribal and riparian communities around Umiam.
The programme was held under the guidance of the Directors of ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore and DoF, Meghalaya, and Dr. S. K. Majhi, Head, ICAR-CIFRI Regional Centre, Guwahati
