Chhattisgarh to Get Its First Aqua Park in Korba District

Raipur : Chhattisgarh’s first-ever Aqua Park is set to be developed in Korba district, specifically in the submergence area of the Hasdeo-Bango reservoir. This innovative project will open new avenues in fish farming, processing, and tourism in the state. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, the Government of India has approved a budget of ₹37.10 crore for this initiative. The Aqua Park will be established in the Etmanagar and Satrenga areas of Korba district.

The Aqua Park at Etmanagar will include facilities such as a feed mill, fish processing plant, hatchery, and recirculatory aquaculture system. It will provide a comprehensive ecosystem from fish production to processing and export. The fish processing plant will include cleaning, filleting (bone removal), high-quality packaging, and export services. The hatchery will be responsible for producing high-quality fish seeds. In Satrenga, the park will expand to include tourism attractions such as an Aqua Museum, angling desk, cafeteria, floating houses, and motorboat rides. The site will become a hub for fishery education, recreation, and the experience of fresh-water delicacies.

Significantly, in the Nima Ukchhar area of Sarbhonka, under the Hasdeo reservoir, around 800 cages have already been established with support from the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and the District Mineral Foundation (DMF). Nine registered fishermen cooperative societies have been selected for fish farming in these cages, with 160 members receiving five cages each.

Thanks to cage culture, villagers are now earning an average annual income of ₹88,000. Members of the fishermen cooperatives—Mr. Deepak Ram Manjhiwar, Mr. Amar Singh Manjhiwar, and Ms. Devmati Uike—shared that this new technique has not only provided them with employment but also improved their financial condition. According to the Fisheries Department, around 1,600 metric tons of fish are being produced annually in this area, providing direct employment to 70–80 individuals daily and indirect livelihoods to 15–20 small-scale fish vendors.

The Hasdeo reservoir area mainly produces Tilapia and Pangasius (Basa) fish species. Tilapia is cost-effective to cultivate, rich in nutrients, and popular in international markets such as the U.S. It is disease-resistant and reaches marketable size in 6–8 months. Pangasius, with fewer bones, is another favorite among consumers.

The development of the Aqua Park in the Hasdeo-Bango reservoir area will give a significant boost to fish farming, self-employment, and tourism in Chhattisgarh. This initiative will not only drive regional economic growth but also open up sustainable and dignified livelihood opportunities for rural communities.