GANGTOK,: The fish festival organised by
State Fisheries department started Sunday in Gangtok. The event, which runs
through November 23, opened with a grand inaugural ceremony at Hotel Tashi
Delek where Fisheries minister Puran Kumar Gurung was present as the chief
guest.
This
year’s festival is organized in partnership with prominent hotels and
restaurants in Gangtok. The festival offers a platform to showcase a diverse
range of fish-based culinary delights, allowing visitors to explore the local flavours
derived from Sikkim’s aquatic resources, informs a press release.
One
of the key objectives of the festival is to raise awareness about the State’s
local fish industry and promote increased fish consumption among residents.
“Despite
the abundance of aquatic resources in Sikkim, the average per capita fish
consumption in the State remains as low as 1.7 kg annually, significantly below
the national average of 10 kg per person,” said the organisers, attributing
this disparity to limited public knowledge about the availability and variety
of fish in the region.
“The
Fish Festival is not only about celebrating Sikkim’s diverse aquatic offerings
but also about educating the public on the nutritional benefits of
incorporating more fish into their diets,” said minister Gurung.
“By
fostering collaboration between fish farmers, restaurant owners, and consumers,
we aim to create a more sustainable and vibrant fish industry in the State,” he
added.
The
festival also highlights the importance of the fisheries sector to the
socio-economic development of Sikkim. By emphasizing the potential of local
aquaculture, the event seeks to strengthen the connection between the fisheries
industry and the community, promoting sustainable fishing practices and driving
economic growth, the organisers said.
In
addition to culinary events, the festival includes workshops and discussions on
sustainable aquaculture, best practices for fish farming, and opportunities for
entrepreneurs in the fisheries sector. The Fisheries department expressed hope
that the event will serve as a catalyst for increased collaboration and
innovation in the industry, ultimately benefiting both local fish farmers and
consumers.
