Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency: River Ganga, one of the world’s most sacred and life-sustaining rivers, supports rich aquatic biodiversity and provides livelihoods, food security, and cultural identity to millions of people across its vast basin. The ICAR–Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR–CIFRI), Barrackpore, organising the three-day “Ganga Innovation Meet 2026” from January 13 to 15 under the Namami Gange Programme. The national-level meet focused on reviewing project progress and fostering informed deliberations on sustainable riverine fisheries.
The central theme, “Biodiversity Conservation, Stock Enhancement & Small-scale Fisheries in the Ganga River Basin,” highlighted the integration of science, policy and community participation. Researchers, policymakers, implementing agencies and field practitioners from across the country participated to exchange scientific findings, policy perspectives and field-level experiences related to aquatic biodiversity, native fish stock enhancement and livelihood security of small-scale fisheries-dependent communities.
The programme was inaugurated in the presence of Chief Guest Prof. (Dr.) Vijay Laxmi Saxena, Former General President, Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA). The Honoured Guests included Prof. Ashok Kumar Saxena, Former General President, ISCA; Dr. K. K. Vass, Former Director, ICAR–CIFRI; Prof. (Dr.) Kuldeep K. Sharma, Former Vice-Chancellor, Himalayan University; Dr. M. R. Sinha, Former Director, ICAR–CIFRI; Prof. (Dr.) Anil P. Sharma, Former Director, ICAR–CIFRI; and Prof. B. N. Pandey, President, Zoological Society of India, Gaya.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. (Dr.) Vijay Laxmi Saxena said, “Protecting the Ganga’s fisheries requires science-based action, ecological restoration and strong community participation to safeguard biodiversity and livelihoods.” Other dignitaries also emphasised the importance of evidence-based interventions and community-centric approaches for ensuring the long-term health of the river and its fisheries.