Himachal Fisheries Department Wins SKOCH Gold Award 2025

The fisheries department of Himachal Pradesh has been awarded the prestigious SKOCH Gold Award 2025 for its innovative efforts in the conservation of the critically endangered Golden Mahaseer. This recognition highlights the department’s successful captive breeding programme aimed at restoring the population of this vital freshwater fish species. The award ceremony took place at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on September 20, 2025.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed his congratulations to the fisheries department, emphasizing that the SKOCH Gold Award serves as a testament to the state government’s dedication and innovative strategies in biodiversity conservation. He noted that this accolade reflects significant initiatives undertaken by the government to protect the Golden Mahaseer, a species that symbolizes the aquatic biodiversity of the region.

Threats and Conservation Efforts

Over recent decades, the population of the Golden Mahaseer in Himachal Pradesh has faced alarming declines due to multiple threats. These include habitat degradation from hydropower projects, overfishing, and pollution stemming from human activities. In response to these challenges, the fisheries department initiated a scientifically supported captive breeding programme.

The Machhyal Mahaseer Farm, established in 2016, initially struggled to produce a significant number of fingerlings, with annual figures not exceeding 5,000. Following the implementation of various reforms, the farm achieved a remarkable milestone in the financial year 2024–25, successfully producing 87,000 Golden Mahaseer fingerlings.

In addition to breeding efforts, a significant stocking campaign was launched. For the first time, 34,500 fingerlings were released into natural habitats, with 20,000 stocked in the Pong Reservoir and 14,500 in the Gobind Sagar Reservoir. These actions mark a substantial step toward restoring the population of this endangered species.

Future Initiatives and Commitment

The state government is also expanding its conservation efforts by planning to raise Golden Mahaseer fingerlings at a newly established fish farm in Sunni, located in the Shimla district. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to preserving the Golden Mahaseer and enhancing biodiversity in the region.

The recognition from the SKOCH Gold Award not only honors the achievements of the fisheries department but also serves as motivation for ongoing and future initiatives aimed at protecting the Golden Mahaseer and the aquatic ecosystems of Himachal Pradesh.