ICAR-CIFRI Guwahati and Meghalaya Fisheries Dept. Organize Awareness Programme on Ornamental Fisheries for Schools in East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi

The ICAR-CIFRI (Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute) Regional Centre Guwahati in collaboration with the State Department of Fisheries, Government of Meghalaya, today the 8^th May, 2025 organized a 1 (one) day Awareness –cum- Input Distribution programme for popularization of Ornamental Fisheries and Aquarium Fish keeping in the schools of Meghalaya particularly in the district of East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi District.

The Programme was organized at the Meghalaya State Fisheries Research and Training Institute, Mawpun, Ri-Bhoi District in which 25 (twenty-five) nos. of schools from East Khasi Hills and 25 (twenty-five) nos. of schools from Ri-Bhoi District participated under the chairmanship of Shri. S.K. Majhi, Principal Scientist & Head ICAR-CIFRI RC, Guwahati.

The programme encompassed discussions and demonstrations on ornamental fisherieswith addresses on the importance of ornamental fisheries from experts (1) Dr. Pronob Das, Senior Scientist ICAR-CIFRI RC, Guwahati (2) Dr. Simanku Borah, Scientist ICAR-CIFRI RC, Guwahati and (3) Mr. A. Kakati, Technical Officer, ICAR-CIFRI RC, Guwahati.

Encouragement to schools on Vocational Ornamental fish-keeping from State officials (1) Smti. M.A. Khongjliw, Superintendent of Fisheries, Nongpoh (2) Shri. P.S. Suting, Principal, MSFR & TI, Mawpun and (3) Shri. P. Lyngdoh, Fishery Officer, East Khasi Hills District and highlight on the various resources on Ornamental Fishes and its need for sustainable development, entrepreneurship and conservation was also a part of the awareness programme

The collaboration benefitting the Educational Institutions could not have been possible without the leadership of the Director of Fisheries, Smti. A.L. Mawlong, MCS, The Director of CIFRI, Dr. B.K. Das and the cooperation of the District Administration, Ri-Bhoi District and respective District school and education officers of East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi District. The Programme concluded with the distribution of complete Aquarium sets to all the schools who participated in the programme.