An Exploratory Study on Production and Economics of Fishing in Pong Dam Wetland of District Kangra

The Pong dam wetland is the largest man made wetland of district Kangra of Himachal Pradesh. This reservoir covers an area of 24,529 ha. The local people adjoining the Pong wetland exploit the wetland for food grain production and fishing. Thus, it provides significant role in their household system. The Department of Fisheries in Himachal Pradesh initiated commercial fishing soon after the emergence of the reservoir. Scanty attempts have been made in the past for estimation of economic benefits accrued from the wetland. The present study was carried out in Pong Dam wetland. The fishing households were randomly selected. The total cost of fish capture was INR 47,427 per fisherman. The fixed cost accounted for 14.44% of total cost. The total variable cost incurred on fishing was INR 40,579/fisherman/annum which accounted for 85.56% of the total cost. The gross income obtained by a fisherman from fishing was INR 96552 per annum. The net return over variable cost and total cost was positive indicating profitability of the fishing to the fishermen. The return on investment was 2.03. Season wise fish catch per fisherman was highest in winter (272.78 kg/fisherman) followed by rainy (163.24 kg/fisherman) and summer (137.61 kg/fisherman). The average production per day was about 2 kg per fisherman. The fishermen share in consumer's rupees was highest (75%) in winter. The per kg expenditure incurred by the contractor for marketing of fish was INR 11/kg. Since the fishing business is adopted by large population, therefore, the royalty and commission charged from the fishermen need to be reduced. The co-operative societies should provide facility of mechanized boating at subsidized rate to enhance the efficiency and income of the fishermen.