After 15 long years, fish production will start again in the village of Dubbatota in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. The people of the village, who were earlier dependent on this occupation, will now get a chance to do it on a larger scale than before. And all because of the efforts of one man: IAS officer Vinit Nandanwar, District Magistrate, Sukma.
DECIDING TO RESTART FISH PRODUCTION
Dubbatota was once a hub of fish production in Chhatisgarh. However, after naxal activities took a nasty turn with the emergence of Salwa Judum, the production was stopped and fishing as an industry was dead for almost 15 years in this village. Now, once again, it is about to restart because of the initiatives taken by Sukma DM, Mr. Vinit Nandanwar.
Speaking to Indian Masterminds, Mr. Nandanwar said “When I visited the village after 15 years, I got to know from the villagers how this activity stopped, and the difficulties people were facing as a result. Their only occupation was taken away from them.” It was then that he decided to do something about it.
STARTING THEIR OWN HATCHERY
Earlier the people were dependent on states like Orissa, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for the procurement of fish seeds. Mr. Nandanwar drew up a plan and made provisions for starting fish production in the village itself.
A fish hatchery is being built in the district and is likely to be completed in December this year. Construction work to the tune of Rs 1 crore 92 lakhs was taken up in 3.61 hectares of land to build nurseries, breeder ponds, circular hatchery, godown, packing shed, boundary wall, etc.
THE BENEFITS
Excitement is palpable in the village. People are happy with the thought of getting back their occupation. There is a hubbub of activity as work is going on at full steam. According to Mr. Nandanwar, when fish production starts, it will create employment opportunities and generate revenue. As people become self-reliant and financially independent, the whole face of the village will change. He explained: “Once this area becomes a hub of fish production, training programmes, and other related activities will also start. This will not only make people feel self-empowered but will also have a positive impact on their health.”
