Govt. of Maharastra funded ICAR-CIBA project on “Geospatial mapping of potential zones for the expanding responsible aquaculture in Maharashtra” was inaugurated by the Shri. Sudhir Sachchidanand Mungantiwar, Honorable Cabinet Minister of Forest, Cultural affairs and Fisheries, on 6.2.2024 at Sahyadri Guest house, Mumbai, Maharashtra. The Minister highlighted the importance of developing aquaculture in Maharashtra by utilizing the resources in an environmentally sustainable manner to take care of Farmers, Fisheries and Forests. The project cost of 95 lakhs has been funded by Mangrove cell and Mangrove foundation through Department of fisheries, Government of Maharashtra. This project aims at expanding aquaculture with environmental sustainability, without multiuser conflicts, while preserving mangroves and agriculture fields. Dr.Atul Patne, IAS, Commissioner of Fisheries, Government of Maharashtra narrated the need of the project. Dr.Ramo Rao, IAS, Additional Principal conservator of Forest stated the initiative of mangrove cell and mangrove foundation in protecting the mangroves in Maharashtra. Dr.Kuldeep K Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA has detailed the importance of the project and CIBA technologies, and acknowledged the Department of Fisheries for supporting ecofriendly aquaculture development. Dr.M.Jayanthi, Principal Scientist and Principal investigator of the project, ICAR-CIBA, presented the objectives and deliverables of the project and the work plan to promote responsible aquaculture. Dr.C.N.Ravishankar, Director, ICAR-CIFE, Mr.Yuvraj Chougule, Joint Commissioner, Department of Fisheries, Dr.Akshaya Panigrahi Principal Scientist , Dr.Pankaj Patil, and Dr.Ritesh Tandel, Scientists of ICAR-CIBA and other officials from Department of fisheries, Mangrove cell and Mangrove foundation, participated in the inauguration of the project.
