Press Release
Press Release from Fisheries Department
Information & Public Relations Department
Fisheries Department, Government of Sikkim, Organizes Awareness Program on Riverine Fisheries Conservation, Nasha Mukt Sikkim & Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan
Namchi, 31st March 2025: The Fisheries Department, Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with Nasha Mukt Sikkim, Social Welfare Department and Swachh Bharat Mission, Rural Development Department successfully organized a one-day Awareness Program on Riverine Fisheries Conservation, Nasha Mukt Sikkim, and Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. The event was held at Golden Mahseer Resort, Majitar, Namchi District on 31st March 2025, with Shri Bhoj Raj Rai, Hon’ble Minister, Food & Civil Supplies Department & Urban Development Department, gracing the occasion as Chief Guest. The program was also attended by Shri Puran Kumar Gurung, Hon’ble Minister, and Shri Nar Bdr Pradhan, Hon’ble Advisor, Agriculture Department, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Department, Fisheries Department, and Horticulture Department as special guests.
Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department, along with senior officers of the department, actively participated in the event. Nasha Mukt Sikkim PMU team from Social Welfare Department participated in the event along with Kapil Chettri, Coordinator, PMU, Solid Waste Management, Swachh Bharat Mission (G) from Rural Development Department. Students from Jorethang Senior Secondary School, Panchayats, anglers, fish farmers, and members of the local community, also attended.
The program commenced with the ranching of 500 fingerlings of Chocolate Mahseer (Katley), the State Fish of Sikkim, into the River Rangit below Mahseer Seed Rearing Farm, Baguwa. The initiative, led by the Chief Guest and dignitaries, aligns with the Fisheries Department’s conservation efforts to sustain indigenous fish populations in the wild.
A key highlight of the program was the two-day Angling Competition held on 30th & 31st March 2025, supported by two Anglers Associations of Sikkim. The competition followed a strict catch-and-release policy to ensure ethical and sustainable angling practices. Experts supervised the event, and based on the assessments by the organizing committee, prizes were also awarded to the top participants.
Aquarium with complete set of accessories was handed over to Govt. Sr. Sec. School, Jorethang to spread awareness among the students on ornamental fish keeping and promote engagement with aquatic ecosystem.
The awareness program featured key presentations, including:
• Fish Diversity of Sikkim: Its Importance and Current Status by Shri Ugen Tseten Bhutia, Assistant Director, Fisheries Department.
• Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan by Kapil Chettri, Coordinator, PMU, Solid Waste Management, Swachh Bharat Mission (G). He highlighted on zero waste practices to be adopted in order to reduce waste.
• Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, and Tobacco Control by Dr. Sadhana Tamang, NTCP Consultant, Soreng PHC.
• The Nasha Mukt Sikkim PMU team conducted specialised awareness sessions on the Social Welfare department's key programs. A comprehensive presentation was delivered on the Sahayogi Programme, detailing its four community-based components designed to combat substance abuse through targeted interventions. Presentation was also given on the broader framework of the Nasha Mukt Sikkim Campaign, highlighting its evidence-based prevention strategies, treatment protocols, and rehabilitation measures being implemented across the state. The PMU team also disseminated information about the Social Welfare department's educational scholarships for underprivileged students, transgender welfare schemes including healthcare access and livelihood opportunities, and legal protections under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The interactive session saw active participation from anglers, local community members, and youth, who engaged in meaningful discussions about these social welfare initiatives.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department, emphasized the crucial link between angling and conservation. She highlighted that responsible angling, particularly through catch-and-release practices, plays a vital role in preserving fish populations, especially endangered species like the Golden Mahseer. She further elaborated on how such events foster community engagement, scientific data collection, and the promotion of sustainable fisheries management. Additionally, she underlined the economic benefits of responsible angling tourism and livelihood opportunities for local fish farmers. Mrs. Rai reaffirmed the department’s commitment to conservation through initiatives such as fish restocking, scientific farming, and infrastructure development, calling on participants to uphold ethical angling practices and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Chief Guest Shri Bhoj Raj Rai, Hon’ble Minister, Food & Civil Supplies Department & Urban Development Department, lauded the Fisheries Department and supporting agencies for organizing this multifaceted event. He acknowledged the initiative’s role in educating students, youth, and the local community on conservation, addiction awareness, mental health, suicide prevention, and cleanliness. He emphasized the need for collective efforts to protect Sikkim’s natural resources, stressing that conservation and sustainability are shared responsibilities of the government and the people. He highlighted the critical importance of preserving Sikkim’s rich aquatic biodiversity which play a crucial role in the ecosystem. Additionally, he encouraged more community participation in conservation programs, advocating for a balanced approach that supports both ecological preservation and economic benefits. Shri Rai commended the Fisheries Department’s efforts in promoting sustainable fisheries management and urged all stakeholders to continue working towards a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for Sikkim.
This pioneering initiative marks a first-of-its-kind event in Sikkim, aimed at fostering mass awareness on riverine fisheries conservation by involving a broad spectrum of stakeholders. The collaboration between various government agencies and local organizations underscores the significance of sustainable fisheries management, drug-free Sikkim and Clean and Green Sikkim.
Namchi, 31st March 2025: The Fisheries Department, Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with Nasha Mukt Sikkim, Social Welfare Department and Swachh Bharat Mission, Rural Development Department successfully organized a one-day Awareness Program on Riverine Fisheries Conservation, Nasha Mukt Sikkim, and Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. The event was held at Golden Mahseer Resort, Majitar, Namchi District on 31st March 2025, with Shri Bhoj Raj Rai, Hon’ble Minister, Food & Civil Supplies Department & Urban Development Department, gracing the occasion as Chief Guest. The program was also attended by Shri Puran Kumar Gurung, Hon’ble Minister, and Shri Nar Bdr Pradhan, Hon’ble Advisor, Agriculture Department, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Department, Fisheries Department, and Horticulture Department as special guests.
Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department, along with senior officers of the department, actively participated in the event. Nasha Mukt Sikkim PMU team from Social Welfare Department participated in the event along with Kapil Chettri, Coordinator, PMU, Solid Waste Management, Swachh Bharat Mission (G) from Rural Development Department. Students from Jorethang Senior Secondary School, Panchayats, anglers, fish farmers, and members of the local community, also attended.
The program commenced with the ranching of 500 fingerlings of Chocolate Mahseer (Katley), the State Fish of Sikkim, into the River Rangit below Mahseer Seed Rearing Farm, Baguwa. The initiative, led by the Chief Guest and dignitaries, aligns with the Fisheries Department’s conservation efforts to sustain indigenous fish populations in the wild.
A key highlight of the program was the two-day Angling Competition held on 30th & 31st March 2025, supported by two Anglers Associations of Sikkim. The competition followed a strict catch-and-release policy to ensure ethical and sustainable angling practices. Experts supervised the event, and based on the assessments by the organizing committee, prizes were also awarded to the top participants.
Aquarium with complete set of accessories was handed over to Govt. Sr. Sec. School, Jorethang to spread awareness among the students on ornamental fish keeping and promote engagement with aquatic ecosystem.
The awareness program featured key presentations, including:
• Fish Diversity of Sikkim: Its Importance and Current Status by Shri Ugen Tseten Bhutia, Assistant Director, Fisheries Department.
• Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan by Kapil Chettri, Coordinator, PMU, Solid Waste Management, Swachh Bharat Mission (G). He highlighted on zero waste practices to be adopted in order to reduce waste.
• Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, and Tobacco Control by Dr. Sadhana Tamang, NTCP Consultant, Soreng PHC.
• The Nasha Mukt Sikkim PMU team conducted specialised awareness sessions on the Social Welfare department's key programs. A comprehensive presentation was delivered on the Sahayogi Programme, detailing its four community-based components designed to combat substance abuse through targeted interventions. Presentation was also given on the broader framework of the Nasha Mukt Sikkim Campaign, highlighting its evidence-based prevention strategies, treatment protocols, and rehabilitation measures being implemented across the state. The PMU team also disseminated information about the Social Welfare department's educational scholarships for underprivileged students, transgender welfare schemes including healthcare access and livelihood opportunities, and legal protections under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The interactive session saw active participation from anglers, local community members, and youth, who engaged in meaningful discussions about these social welfare initiatives.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department, emphasized the crucial link between angling and conservation. She highlighted that responsible angling, particularly through catch-and-release practices, plays a vital role in preserving fish populations, especially endangered species like the Golden Mahseer. She further elaborated on how such events foster community engagement, scientific data collection, and the promotion of sustainable fisheries management. Additionally, she underlined the economic benefits of responsible angling tourism and livelihood opportunities for local fish farmers. Mrs. Rai reaffirmed the department’s commitment to conservation through initiatives such as fish restocking, scientific farming, and infrastructure development, calling on participants to uphold ethical angling practices and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Chief Guest Shri Bhoj Raj Rai, Hon’ble Minister, Food & Civil Supplies Department & Urban Development Department, lauded the Fisheries Department and supporting agencies for organizing this multifaceted event. He acknowledged the initiative’s role in educating students, youth, and the local community on conservation, addiction awareness, mental health, suicide prevention, and cleanliness. He emphasized the need for collective efforts to protect Sikkim’s natural resources, stressing that conservation and sustainability are shared responsibilities of the government and the people. He highlighted the critical importance of preserving Sikkim’s rich aquatic biodiversity which play a crucial role in the ecosystem. Additionally, he encouraged more community participation in conservation programs, advocating for a balanced approach that supports both ecological preservation and economic benefits. Shri Rai commended the Fisheries Department’s efforts in promoting sustainable fisheries management and urged all stakeholders to continue working towards a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for Sikkim.
This pioneering initiative marks a first-of-its-kind event in Sikkim, aimed at fostering mass awareness on riverine fisheries conservation by involving a broad spectrum of stakeholders. The collaboration between various government agencies and local organizations underscores the significance of sustainable fisheries management, drug-free Sikkim and Clean and Green Sikkim.