Khabak on Ningol Chakkouba menu
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 08 2013 : Khabak once relished and savoured the most by the earlier generations but unknown to majority of the present generation would be back on the menu of Ningol Chakkouba this year.

S Tomba & Sons Integrated Fish Farming Pvt Ltd, Hiyangthang Mamang Leikai has successfully reared the indigenous Khabak species with perseverance and commitment notwithstanding the general belief that the particular fish species has gone extinct from Manipur, if not from the whole world.

The firm has already reserved 2000 Kgs of Khabak for the Ningol Chakkouba festival.

Notably, the fish farm has been regularly producing Pengba, another savoured fish species since 2002 after it was thought Pengbas have completely disappeared from Manipur.

The farm added Ngaton to its lists of rare products in 2007-08 and this year it is ready to re-introduce Khabak among the Ningol Chakkouba cuisines of some lucky customers.

The delectable Khabak

Farm manager Soibam Surchandra explained that Ngaton, Tollaba and Khabak are same species of fish but they were named differently according to their size and growth stage.

Generally, it requires 42 to 48 months for a Ngaton to grow up and become a Khabak.

A Khabak weighs between 300 and 500 gm.

A Ngaton starts laying eggs when it is around two years and six months old.

Khabaks now set aside for Ningol Chakkouba were regenerated and reared in the fish farm from some Ngatons caught from Iril river in 2008 .

Ngaton and Khabak would be sold at Rs 1000 per Kg and Pengba at Rs 800 per Kg this Ningol Chakkouba festival.

Surchandra said that they are planning to produce 6000 Kgs of the three rare fish species, that is, 2000 Kgs each of Ngaton, Khabak and Pengba.

He further informed that he would open a stall at the annual Ningol Chakkouba fish fair provided he receives invitation from the Fishery Department.

Surchandra's fish farm spreads across 8.6 hectares.

In addition to rearing rare and indigenous fish species, other common fish species are being reared in the farm.

Moreover, breeding of fingerlings is also done in the farm.

Notably, Surchandra was awarded the Dr Hiralal Chowdhury National Best Fish Farmer Gold Medal in 2002 .

He again bagged the States awards for overall maximum production of fish in 2004 and 2007 .

He also received special prizes for producing indigenous fishes in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012 .