Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 20 2010:
As a part of the Pengba Liberation Programme organised by the Directorate of Fisheries at Kangla today, Fishery Minister Md Alauddin Khan released 15,000 Pengba, and 7000 Rouhu (rou) and grass-carp fingerlings at Nungjeng Pukhri and other ponds of the historic place.
In his speech during the release programme, the Minister said that when the Kings who ruled Manipur at different periods left Kangla for wars or other important matters, Pengba dish used to be an indispensable menu as it was considered to bring success.
In order to keep up with the traditional belief as a part of the Kangla development programme, the Fishery Department took the initiative to release fingerlings of the fish varieties considered delicacies.
The Minister also informed that gathering that release of fingerlings would be sustained both inside and outside Kangla.
Speaking at the occasion, Director of Fisheries K Sarat Kumar Singh informed that the Government of Manipur had on November 5, 2007 declared Pengba as a State Fish.
Consequently with the aim of enhancing Pengba productivity, the fingerlings of the fish variety have been released at Loktak Lake and khuga Dam, added K Sarat Kumar Singh.