The Himachal Government will appoint river guards to check poaching and save marine life in rivers of the state. The decision was taken at a review meeting of the Fisheries Department, chaired by Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh here today. He said fish farming would be promoted as self-employment measure.

“The government would make efforts to promote fish farming, especially trout as there was vast potential for it in the fresh water rivers,” he said. He added that the government would provide technical know how for fish farming.

He said government fish farms had been producing quality trout fish, for which there was a great demand. “There is need to create awareness amongst the farmers about the benefits of fish farming and the various schemes offered by the government to promote fish farming,” he said.

“The Dhamwari trout farm would be developed as a model fish farm, where quality trout fish fish would be produced,” he stated.

He also said all hatcheries in the state would be constructed with security safeguards and adequate clean water supply would be ensured for good trout production.