MITRA to fund Rs 16 crore Ujani biodiversity project

Kolhapur: The Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) will fund a Rs 16-crore project for conservation of biodiversity in the Ujani dam and creation of livelihood opportunities for local fishermen through fish meal and fish oil industries, its CEO Pravin Pardeshi announced during a visit to Solapur on Thursday.Pardeshi held discussions with district officials and representatives of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), which has studied the dam’s ecosystem and highlighted the threat posed by invasive fish species such as African catfish (mangur) and suckermouth catfish.BNHS researcher Unmesh Katwate said that breeding and seed production of African catfish are prohibited, while conservation of indigenous fish species needs urgent support.Katwate said studies conducted over the past three to four decades indicate that 30 to 35 native fish species in the Ujani dam have become extinct, while nearly 40 others are on the verge of extinction due to ecological pressures and invasive species.Local fishermen told Pardeshi that African catfish not only prey on native fish but also damage fishing nets, resulting in substantial economic losses.“Catfish are harmful to consume, and because of them, the risk of serious diseases like cancer can increase significantly, which is why the seed production of such African catfish has been banned.

Therefore, the district administration and the fisheries department should take action to encourage the seed production of local fish,” Pardeshi said.As part of the project, invasive aquatic plant species will also be removed and support will be extended to police and the fisheries department to crack down on illegal breeding of African catfish. Officials said a memorandum of understanding will soon be signed with the fisheries department to implement various initiatives aimed at strengthening the fishing economy around the reservoir.Residents from villages around the Ujani dam, who joined the interaction through video conferencing, also urged authorities to stop the discharge of industrial effluents and untreated sewage from upstream cities into the reservoir, saying pollution was further threatening the dam’s ecosystem and fisheries.