Bihar Strengthens Fisheries with Integrated Aqua Park and NFDB Regional Centre

Bihar Expands Fisheries Infrastructure

Bihar Strengthens Fisheries with Integrated Aqua Park and NFDB Regional Centre: Bihar is set to strengthen its fisheries sector with the establishment of a ₹31.21 crore Integrated Aqua Park in Bhojpur and the inauguration of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) Regional Centre in Patna. The initiatives were launched by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on June 15, 2026.

These projects aim to modernize aquaculture, improve fish seed production, promote advanced fish farming technologies, and generate employment opportunities across the state. They also support India’s objective of enhancing inland fisheries under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

Bihar’s Rich Inland Fisheries Resources

Bihar possesses one of India’s largest inland fisheries resource bases. The state has approximately 1.22 lakh hectares of ponds and tanks, 0.64 lakh hectares of reservoirs, nearly 9.5 lakh hectares of floodplain lakes and wetlands, and more than 21,000 kilometres of rivers and canals.

These water resources support the cultivation of commercially important fish species such as Rohu, Catla, Mrigal, Tilapia, Pangasius, Magur, Pabda, Scampi, and ornamental fish, giving Bihar enormous potential for fisheries-led economic growth.

Static GK fact: Rohu, Catla, and Mrigal are collectively known as the Indian Major Carps (IMCs) and form the backbone of inland aquaculture in India.

Government Investment Boosts Fish Production

Over the past eleven years, the Government of India has approved fisheries-related projects worth ₹902.84 crore for Bihar. Of this, ₹579.72 crore has been sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

The investments have supported hatcheries, brood banks, fish feed plants, cold-chain infrastructure, Biofloc units, Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), transport facilities, and aquatic disease diagnostic laboratories. As a result, Bihar’s fish production has more than doubled, enabling the state to move from ninth to fourth among India’s inland fish-producing states.

Integrated Aqua Park at Bhojpur

The Integrated Aqua Park will be established at the Vanasaur Fish Seed Farm in Bhojpur at a cost of ₹31.21 crore under PMMSY.

The park will include modern facilities such as carp and catfish hatcheries, brooder incubation units, Biofloc systems, RAS units, fish feed manufacturing plants, quarantine facilities, aquatic disease diagnostic laboratories, and a 50-bed training hostel. These facilities will ensure quality fish seed production, promote scientific aquaculture, and enhance the skills of fish farmers.

Static GK Tip: Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) is a water-efficient fish farming technology that continuously filters and reuses water, allowing intensive fish production.

NFDB Regional Centre for Eastern India

The newly established NFDB Regional Centre in Patna will serve as a major institutional hub for Bihar and other eastern states.

The centre will support the implementation of fisheries schemes, provide technical guidance, promote entrepreneurship, and encourage modern aquaculture practices such as cage culture, Biofloc technology, precision aquaculture, and RAS-based fish farming. It will also provide continuous training and technical assistance to fishers and aquaculture entrepreneurs.

Wetland Fisheries for Sustainable Growth

To fully utilize Bihar’s vast wetland resources, the state has notified a Wetland Fisheries Cluster covering nearly 9.5 lakh hectares of floodplain lakes and other water bodies.

The cluster-based approach promotes community participation, coordinated fish stocking, and shared post-harvest infrastructure. This model is expected to improve productivity, sustainability, and rural livelihoods while strengthening Bihar’s position as a leading inland fisheries state.

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