Rajasthan to have added attraction of angling now

Rajasthan is always known as the tourist’s destination for its rich culture, colourful and vibrant nature and heritage places. Going beyond this, now Rajasthan is also developing its Bisalpur Dam as angling hub. This was decided after looking at the enthusiasm of anglers from Rajasthan and other states like Punjab, Delhi, Karnataka and Maharashtra.  Anglers from different districts of Rajasthan often go to the dam for angling. They have even organised two angling competitions so far. As per a report published in Hindustan Times, agriculture minister Prabhulal Saini said, “The government will provide boats, fishing rods and accommodation to people to promote angling as tourism at state’s biggest dam at Bisalpur in Tonk,” He further added, “We have bought 10 fishing rods, a paddle boat, floating platform and mechanised boat.” Bisalpur Dam, which supplies drinking water to Jaipur, is spread over 22,000 hectares and has more than 70 species of fishes. “The state wants to diversify its tourism activities and look beyond desert and heritage tourism,” Saini said. He also informed that angling will be permitted both upstream and downstream. The minister said an angling complex will come up near the dam, which will have a rest house with four rooms. Assistant director of the fisheries department, CP Juyal informed that the state government and the National Fish Development Board have given Rs 66 lakh for the project. 30,000 seeds of game fish, Mahasir, were recently brought from Maharashtra and are being reared at a local fishery. The fish will be released into the dam within a fortnight, he added. More than 300 anglers from Jaipur, Tonk, Kota, Alwar and Sawai Madhopur go angling at the dam regularly. While the officers informed that the anglers will be allowed to catch only one or two fish for consumption.