Kolkata: Rearing of guppy fish has become popular among various self-help groups in West Midnapore with a large number of people, mostly women, coming forward to take part in the training programme organised by the district administration. To help the women in the villages to become economically independent, state government has taken a number of initiatives. Many self-help groups have been created in the villages and they have been encouraged to take part in various job-oriented training programme. Women in Chandrakona I have been involved in rearing guppy fishes for some times and they are making profits. The women have been given financial assistance by the district administration. Even the local administration distributed the fingerlings among various self-help groups at free of costs. Following the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees instruction, various district administrations encouraged self-help groups to rear guppy fishes as they destroy mosquito larvae in the water bodies. Earlier, guppy fingers were brought to Chandrakona I from East Midnapore. The district administration conducted awareness among the people in the area on how the guppy cultivation can help the people to overcome the mosquito menace. Following the campaign many women showed their interest and got fingerlings from the local administration at no cost. It may be mentioned here that state fisheries department, under the supervision of the state fisheries development corporation (SFDC), started releasing guppy fish in the water bodies, drainage canals, agricultural canals in both in the rural and urban areas of each district. Lakhs of guppy fingerlings have been released in various areas under South Dum Dum Municipality and Bidhannagar Municipality. Other municipalities in South 24-Parganas like Maheshtala and Sonarpur have also released guppy fishes under their jurisdiction. Guppy fishes have been released in the blocks of Bardhaman-I, Bardhaman-II, Bhatar, Ausgram-I, Ausgram-II, Galsi-I and II, Raina-I and II, Khandaghosh, Memari-I and II, Kalna-I and II, Jamalpur, Monteswar, Purbasthali-I and II, Ketugram-I and II, Katwa-I and II, Bhangar-I and II and Mangalkote. (Image from indiamart.com)

Stay updated with all the Kolkata Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.