Archive · 17 Dec 2025
BNHS and Fishermen Collaborate to Boost Income with Indigenous Fish
The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the government's fisheries department held a workshop for fishermen at the Ujani reservoir.
They want to help the fishermen earn more money by promoting local fish like Deccan mahseer and rohu.
The reservoir supplies fish to many cities and is worth a lot of money every year.
BNHS trained the fishermen to change their practices and sell these local fish to nearby cities.
They also plan to protect the reservoir from harmful invasive species and introduce more native fish.
The goal is to make sure the fish and birds in the reservoir stay healthy and the fishermen can make a good living.
BNHS and the fisheries department conducted a workshop for Ujani fishermen to promote indigenous fishes and improve their income.
The workshop focused on training 120 fishermen and bird guides to change their practices and sell indigenous fish to nearby cities.
The Ujani reservoir, located on the Bhima river in Solapur district, supplies fish worth Rs 4 to 7 crore annually to cities like Pune, Solapur, and Mumbai.
BNHS plans to conserve endangered fish and native plant species and eradicate invasive species like African catfish and water hyacinth over the next 15 years.
A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed to implement mitigation measures and collaborate on conservation breeding programs for threatened native fish species.
- Who
- Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Government's Fisheries Department, Cipla Foundation, Ujani Fishermen
- What
- A workshop to improve fishermen's income by promoting indigenous fishes and wetland conservation
- When
- December 9 and 10
- Where
- Ujani Reservoir, Bhima River, Solapur District
- Why
- To improve fishermen's income, promote indigenous fishes, and conserve the wetland ecosystem
- Organizations Involved
- Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Government's Fisheries Department, Cipla Foundation
- Location
- Ujani Reservoir, Bhima River, Solapur District
- Indigenous Fishes Promoted
- Deccan mahseer, bangana nukta, rohu (Labeo) species
- Workshop Dates
- December 9 and 10
- Annual Fish Catch Value
- Rs 4 to 7 crore
- Invasive Species to be Eradicated
- African catfish, suckermouth catfish, water hyacinth
- Project Duration
- 15 years
- Key Speakers
- Anurag Mishra (Cipla Foundation), Archana Shinde (Fisheries Department), Dr. Unmesh Katwate (BNHS)