India to open Farakka barrage for hilsas

India has redesigned a navigation lock at Farakka barrage over the Ganges to ensure smooth and safe migration of hilsa during the three-month spawning season, reports UNB.

It will ensure hilsas' journey up to Allahabad down the Ganges from this monsoon after a gap of over 40 years, according to the Times of India.

The lock had for long stalled the movement of hilsa from salty waters of downstream Bangladesh to sweeter water in the upstream, particularly during the spawning season.

Bangladesh's national fish hilsa gets recognition of geographical indication (GI) product of the country.

Inland Waterway Authority of India Vice-chairman Pravir Pandey said the gates of the barrage will remain open for only eight metres and between 1:00am and 5:00am each day, the preferred time when hilsa seeks passage.

This provision has been made in consultation with ICAR Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Central Water Commission and Farraka Barrage Project Authority," Inland Waterway Authority of India (IWAI), he said.