DEVELOPMENT OF RESERVOIRS AND AMRIT SAROVARS

The Union Budget 2026‑27 announced an integrated development programme for 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars across India, aiming to tap untapped fisheries potential and boost fishermen’s livelihoods. The programme includes establishing hatcheries, promoting cage and pen culture, providing boats and nets, and setting up infrastructure such as fish feed mills, cold storage, ice plants, fish kiosks, retail markets, transport vehicles and value‑addition units. Selection of 12 reservoirs and 5 Amrit Sarovars in Bihar and 27 reservoirs and 5 Amrit Sarovars in Chhattisgarh (including Kosardeda reservoir in Bastar) was done by the Department of Fisheries in consultation with states, based on perennial water availability and fisheries potential. Funding follows the guidelines of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, with support for Fish Farmer Producer Organisations, women‑led groups and cooperatives.