<p>Haveri: Following good rainfall in the last monsoon and recent pre-monsoon showers, most of the lakes across the district have partially filled up. The rise in water level in these tanks has brought a new lease of life to fish farming activities, with fish seed release operations now in full swing.</p><p>A few years ago, scant rainfall had pushed fishermen into financial hardship. However, the current spell of good rainfall has brought smiles back on their faces. Fishermen who are now releasing fish fingerlings into these rejuvenated lakes are hopeful of reaping good profits in the coming days.</p><p>There are 202 lakes under the jurisdiction of the Fisheries Department in the district. All of these are leased out to contractors for fishery purposes. These contractors release fish seeds into the lakes, nurture them until maturity and then harvest and sell the fish. Large lakes in Haveri, Hangal, Ranebennur, Byadagi, Shiggaon, Savanur, Rattihalli and Hirekerur taluks have already been allocated by the Fisheries Department for commercial fishing. Out of the 202 lakes, fish seed release has already begun in 148. The remaining 54 lakes have reached the end of their lease period, and an online auction process for these lakes has been initiated.</p><p><strong>Profit for Department</strong></p><p>In the fiscal year 2024–25, the Fisheries Department has earned a revenue of Rs 72.64 lakh through new lease permits, renewals, and other related services. For the ongoing year 2025–26, the Department is anticipating revenues exceeding Rs 80 lakh.</p><p>Fisheries Department Deputy Director Vasant Hegde said: “Permission to conduct fishing activities in major lakes under the department’s jurisdiction is granted to Fishermen’s Co-operative Societies as well as private individuals. The base lease price is set at a minimum of Rs 300 per hectare, though auctions often fetch higher rates.” </p><p>He also said, an online allocation process has begun for 54 lakes, whose lease period has expired. Several societies and individuals have already submitted applications. According to government regulations, the lake allocations will be finalised soon.</p><p><strong>E-tenders</strong></p><p>Fisheries Department Assistant Director S P Dandur informed: “An e-tender process has been initiated for granting fishery licenses in lakes filled under the lift irrigation scheme. Currently, seven </p><p>lakes from the district are on this list. </p><p>“The government has issued guidelines for conducting e-tenders, and once we receive approval from the Zilla Panchayat regarding reservation policies, the tender process will be started.”</p><p>He also said that a rate of Rs 1,500 per hectare has been fixed for these seven lakes. Both co-operative societies and private parties in the district can participate in the e-tender process and secure fishing leases, he added.</p><p><strong>31 co-op societies</strong></p><p>There are 31 fishing co-operative societies in the district, with around 8,000 members. The members and their families rely on fishing for their livelihood.</p>
<p>Haveri: Following good rainfall in the last monsoon and recent pre-monsoon showers, most of the lakes across the district have partially filled up. The rise in water level in these tanks has brought a new lease of life to fish farming activities, with fish seed release operations now in full swing.</p><p>A few years ago, scant rainfall had pushed fishermen into financial hardship. However, the current spell of good rainfall has brought smiles back on their faces. Fishermen who are now releasing fish fingerlings into these rejuvenated lakes are hopeful of reaping good profits in the coming days.</p><p>There are 202 lakes under the jurisdiction of the Fisheries Department in the district. All of these are leased out to contractors for fishery purposes. These contractors release fish seeds into the lakes, nurture them until maturity and then harvest and sell the fish. Large lakes in Haveri, Hangal, Ranebennur, Byadagi, Shiggaon, Savanur, Rattihalli and Hirekerur taluks have already been allocated by the Fisheries Department for commercial fishing. Out of the 202 lakes, fish seed release has already begun in 148. The remaining 54 lakes have reached the end of their lease period, and an online auction process for these lakes has been initiated.</p><p><strong>Profit for Department</strong></p><p>In the fiscal year 2024–25, the Fisheries Department has earned a revenue of Rs 72.64 lakh through new lease permits, renewals, and other related services. For the ongoing year 2025–26, the Department is anticipating revenues exceeding Rs 80 lakh.</p><p>Fisheries Department Deputy Director Vasant Hegde said: “Permission to conduct fishing activities in major lakes under the department’s jurisdiction is granted to Fishermen’s Co-operative Societies as well as private individuals. The base lease price is set at a minimum of Rs 300 per hectare, though auctions often fetch higher rates.” </p><p>He also said, an online allocation process has begun for 54 lakes, whose lease period has expired. Several societies and individuals have already submitted applications. According to government regulations, the lake allocations will be finalised soon.</p><p><strong>E-tenders</strong></p><p>Fisheries Department Assistant Director S P Dandur informed: “An e-tender process has been initiated for granting fishery licenses in lakes filled under the lift irrigation scheme. Currently, seven </p><p>lakes from the district are on this list. </p><p>“The government has issued guidelines for conducting e-tenders, and once we receive approval from the Zilla Panchayat regarding reservation policies, the tender process will be started.”</p><p>He also said that a rate of Rs 1,500 per hectare has been fixed for these seven lakes. Both co-operative societies and private parties in the district can participate in the e-tender process and secure fishing leases, he added.</p><p><strong>31 co-op societies</strong></p><p>There are 31 fishing co-operative societies in the district, with around 8,000 members. The members and their families rely on fishing for their livelihood.</p>
