Agartala, Feb 15 (Reporter) Tripura government decided to establish an integrated aqua park with Rs 100 crore investment in Unokoti district to bridge the existing annual gap of fish demand and supply of around 32 MT, Minister of Fisheries Sudhangshu Das said here on Saturday while addressing the annual fish festival here. “Since Tripura lacks coastal areas or deep-water bodies, artificial aquaculture infrastructure is inevitable for increasing fish production, and a natural abandoned water body in the Dolugoan area of Kailashahar has been projected to make an aqua park, which will also open a huge employment opportunity,” Das stated. The state had submitted a Rs 100 Cr proposal to the central government, which has already been sanctioned, and the ministry has disbursed the first installment of Rs 43 Cr. The aqua park is expected to produce 2.5 MT of fish annually, reducing the state's dependence on fish imports from West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Bangladesh. Highlighting the state's focus on integrated fish farming, Das emphasised that fisheries and animal resources would provide logistical, technical, and financial support to farmers. The agriculture and allied sectors have been a key contributor to Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and played a crucial role in stabilising India's economy during the COVID19 pandemic. Tripura, where 98% of the population consumes fish, has an annual production of around 85,000 MT, while the demand stands at 1.17 lakh MT, creating a deficit of 32,000 MT. To address this, the government has undertaken various measures under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), which follows a 90:10 funding model between the Centre and the state. Under PMMSY, the state is actively digging new water bodies while providing free fingerlings, fish feed, and scientific training in pisciculture. Additionally, the Mukhyamantri Matsya Vikash Yojana (MMVY) allocated Rs 160 Cr in the last state budget to boost fish production. The government is also reviving old ponds and water bodies, offering one-time assistance, free fingerlings, feed, and lime to sustain fish farming. The state has sought another Rs 10 Cr from the North Eastern Council (NEC) for the maintenance of old ponds, of which 50% has been received. This has already benefitted 500 fishery entrepreneurs. With these initiatives, the Tripura government aims to achieve self-sufficiency in fish production while enhancing the economic well-being of fish farmers in the state...////...