Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Drought-hit tanks threaten Telangana’s annual fish seed programme
Telangana releases young fish into local tanks every year.
This programme is now uncertain in Nizamabad because many tanks do not have enough water.
The state spends about Rs 4 crore to Rs 4.20 crore on the programme.
It plans to release nearly four crore young fish.
Officials allow fish stocking only when a tank has at least 40% water depth.
Fishers worry that the young fish could die in tanks with too little water.
They also fear losing money if the fish do not survive.
They want officials to inspect each tank before releasing the fish.
Telangana’s fish seed distribution programme in Nizamabad faces uncertainty because irrigation tanks are losing water.
The state spends about Rs 4 crore to Rs 4.20 crore annually to release nearly four crore fish seed.
Of 1,007 designated tanks, around 50 have less than 25% water and 245 have between 25% and 50%.
Another 334 tanks hold between 50% and 75% of their storage capacity.
Fishermen want physical tank inspections and seed allocations based on actual water availability.
- Who
- The Telangana Fisheries Department and Nizamabad’s fishing community are involved.
- What
- The annual fish seed distribution programme may be affected by low water levels in irrigation tanks.
- When
- The issue concerns the annual distribution programme, which is currently facing uncertainty.
- Where
- Nizamabad district, Telangana, particularly its designated irrigation tanks.
- Why
- Declining water levels may cause high fingerling mortality, while stocking rules require at least 40% water depth.
- District
- Nizamabad
- Designated tanks
- 1,007
- Annual fish seed release
- Nearly four crore fish seed
- Annual state spending
- About Rs 4 crore to Rs 4.20 crore
- Minimum stocking requirement
- At least 40% water depth
- Tanks below 25% water
- Around 50
- Tanks with 25%-50% water
- 245
- Tanks with 50%-75% water
- 334