GUWAHATI: Assam is embarking on a transformative project to revitalise its wetland ecosystems and enhance fish production through the Sustainable Wetland and Integrated Fisheries Transformation (SWIFT) initiative. With a budget of ₹796.88 crore, the project focuses on rejuvenating 129 beels, which are vital to the state's hydrological resources.
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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared the information on his micro-blogging platform ‘X’, saying, “We're undertaking an ambitious project worth appx ₹800cr to rejuvenate 129 beels in Assam to boost fish production & aid in water storage.To be executed in collaboration with @ADB_HQ, it will revive 4000 ha of beels to give filip to indigenous fish production and water mgmt.”
We're undertaking an ambitious project worth appx ₹800cr to rejuvenate 129 beels in Assam to boost fish production & aid in water storage.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 19, 2024
To be executed in collaboration with @ADB_HQ, it will revive 4000 ha of beels to give filip to indigenous fish production and water mgmt. pic.twitter.com/oOLTE7KGGQ
“Beels are the backbone of Assam's hydrological resources which enable flood mitigation, groundwater recharge, river flow regulation, erosion control, and are stock of fishery resources, etc,” the post stated.
The SWIFT project aims to restore 4,000 hectares of beel fisheries, with the goal of increasing fish production by an additional 1,200 kilograms per hectare per year. The project will also improve water storage in the beels, ensuring more effective conservation and management of indigenous fish species, which are integral to Assam's aquatic biodiversity.
The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), combining local knowledge with international expertise.
