One lakh penguins were released in Loktak Lake, Manipur.

Imphal: In a move aimed at conserving and conserving the local fish species, Manipur Chief Minister N. Baran Singh on Wednesday released 100,000 penguins, the state’s fish, in Loktak Lake.

The Chief Minister participated in a farming program aimed at rehabilitating Pengba (Osteobrama Belangeri) in Loktak Lake and distributing inputs (cage nets and fish feed) at Sendra in Bishnupur district.
The program was organized by ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Government of Manipur, and Loktak Development Authority, Manipur.

Addressing the formal function, CM Brain Singh lauded the joint efforts and schemes of ICAR-CIFRI launched in collaboration with local fishermen and the department in its efforts to conserve and rehabilitate the local fish species of the state.
Expressing concern over the environmental hazards due to human negligence, he said that out of 54 indigenous species of fish, we now have only 35 species. He took a hard look at the public habit of dumping garbage in rivers, which in turn falls into Lake Loktak, making it difficult for fish and other creatures to survive.
Explaining the story behind the implementation of Loktak Rozi Roti Mission in 2018, the CM said that during his air travel, he noticed that a large part of the swampy area around Loktak Lake was empty. He said he came up with the idea of using the area for pen farming to raise fish, and after clearing the mounds or floating islands, it would be converted into organic fertilizer.
Explaining the story behind the implementation of the Loktak Livelihood Mission in 2018, the CM said that during his air travels, he noticed a vast tract of swampy area around Loktak Lake lying idle.
Highlighting that the decline in fish production in the state is due to the lack of release of fish in the lake, the CM said that we are releasing one lakh fishes, and about one crore fishes in the month of May. Is the target. He also appealed to the fish farmers to create awareness among the people and stop fishing. The Chief Minister also appealed to the fish farmers not to use electric current for catching fish.