Ramgarh deputy commissioner (DC) Chandan Kumar has sanctioned Rs 3.86 crore for starting fish farming in four abandoned coal mines of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) in Mandu and Patratu blocks of Ramgarh district. A number of closed coal mines have now turned water reservoirs which could be used in fish farming to offer employment to local village youths.
Fish farming will be started by village youths cooperative societies which have been promoted and supported by the district fishery department and the district administration. The district fishery department has identified four abandoned mines which include —Ara coal pit no. 8 and 14 under Kuju area of CCL in Mandu block and Sayal coal pit and Saunda-D coal pit under Barka-Sayal area of CCL under Patratu block, an official of district fishery department said.
The administrative move comes after the big success of fish farming being carried out by Kuju fishery cooperative society in Ara coal pit. “Ramgarh district has the potential of fish farming in abandoned coal mines,” an official said.
The DC said this initiative will promote and support cooperative societies of unemployed youths residing near collieries for fish farming and is expected to provide employment to 250 youths.
“We have been identifying more such closed coal pits of CCL for expansion of fish farming and we expect that Ramgarh will emerge as fish suppliers to nearby cities and other states as the district has better road and rail connectivity,” another official said