29/05/2026
PRESS RELEASE FROM FISHERIES DEPARTMENT
Ranching of Brown Trout Fingerlings and Cleanliness Drive Conducted at Menmoitso
Menmoitso, Gangtok District, 29 May 2026: The Fisheries Department, Government of Sikkim, successfully organized a Brown Trout Fingerling Ranching and Cleanliness Drive Programme at Menmoitso, Gangtok District, on 29th May 2026 as part of the Department's annual conservation and resource enhancement initiatives.
The programme was led by Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department, and attended by Dr. Karma Doma Bhutia, Additional Director; Dr. Rinchen Ongmoo Bhutia, Joint Director; Mrs. Rahel Gurung, Assistant Engineer; and Shri Surendra Bhandari, Assistant Director-cum-District Officer, Gangtok District, along with Junior Engineers, Block Officers, Fisheries Guards, Assistant Fisheries Guards, and other departmental officials and staff.
At the outset, the team proceeded to Menmoitso Lake for the ranching programme. During the event, healthy Brown Trout fingerlings were released into the lake with the objective of strengthening the natural trout population, enhancing aquatic biodiversity, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of fisheries resources in the area. The fingerlings released during the programme were produced at the Menmoitso Trout Farm itself.
The ranching programme forms part of the Fisheries Department's annual initiative aimed at replenishing fish stocks in natural water bodies and promoting the conservation of cold-water fisheries resources. Such activities play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting recreational angling potential, and preserving the unique aquatic ecosystems of the State.
Mrs. Roshni Rai highlighted that conducting the ranching programme during the sacred Buddhist month of Saga Dawa added special significance to the activity. She stated that the initiative symbolized compassion towards all living beings and reflected the collective responsibility of society towards biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.
Following the ranching activity, a Cleanliness Drive was carried out in and around Menmoitso Lake. Officers and staff of the Department actively participated in the drive by collecting litter and creating awareness about the importance of maintaining cleanliness in ecologically sensitive areas. The initiative reflected the Department's commitment to environmental conservation and the protection of aquatic habitats.
Mrs. Roshni Rai emphasized the importance of integrating fisheries conservation with environmental stewardship. She appreciated the efforts of the field functionaries in carrying out regular ranching programmes and maintaining trout farming infrastructure in remote locations. She further stressed the need for continued protection of natural water bodies and greater community participation in preserving fragile ecosystems.
Subsequently, the Secretary visited the Rainbow Trout Brood Bank established at Menmoitso under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). She inspected the facilities and reviewed the progress of the project, including the raceways and other infrastructure created for broodstock management and quality brood seed production. The Secretary expressed satisfaction with the development of the facility and underscored its importance in strengthening trout broodstock production and ensuring the availability of quality brood fish for the State's expanding trout farming sector.
