Himachal Pradesh News
Pong Lake Fish Production Drops Sharply, 3,000 Fishermen Face Livelihood Crisis
A growing crisis is unfolding at Pong Lake, where thousands of fishermen are struggling to survive as fish production has dropped sharply this year. For nearly 3,000 fishermen who depend entirely on the lake, the situation is becoming increasingly difficult with each passing day.
A growing crisis is unfolding at Pong Lake, where thousands of fishermen are struggling to survive as fish production has dropped sharply this year. For nearly 3,000 fishermen who depend entirely on the lake, the situation is becoming increasingly difficult with each passing day.
Across 15 Fisheries Cooperative Societies operating in the reservoir, the current financial year (April 2025 to March 2026) has brought disappointing and worrying results. Many fishermen say their daily catch has reduced drastically—and in some cases, they are returning home empty-handed for weeks.
Why Is Fish Production Falling?
Fishermen and cooperative representatives point to multiple reasons behind this sudden decline.
One major factor is the prolonged opening of floodgates at the Pong Dam during the monsoon season. Due to heavy rainfall, water was released continuously for nearly three months, allowing a significant quantity of fish to flow downstream into Punjab through the Beas River.
Interestingly, areas downstream have seen the opposite trend. The Sathana Fisheries Cooperative Society has reportedly recorded an increase of nearly 10 tonnes in fish production, strengthening concerns that fish migration is a key issue.
Silt Build-Up Making Things Worse
Another serious problem is the rising level of silt in the lake. From Dehra to Dadasiba and Bongta to Nandpur, large portions of the reservoir are now visibly affected.
This silt accumulation is not just a visual issue—it is damaging the ecosystem. It is disrupting fish breeding and feeding grounds, while also restricting their natural movement. Fishermen from Dehra, Haripur, and Nandpur say this has directly reduced fish availability.
Rising Water Levels, Falling Catch
Higher water levels this year have expanded the lake’s spread area, making fishing more difficult and less efficient. With fish now more scattered, catching them has become increasingly challenging.
The impact is clearly visible in production data:
- Nagrota Surian: down by 12 tonnes
- Guglara: down by 8 tonnes
- Jawali: down by 3 tonnes
- Other centres: reporting similar declining trends
Livelihoods at Risk
Behind these numbers are real families facing financial stress. Most fishermen rely entirely on daily catches for their income. With earnings falling, many are struggling to meet basic household needs.
Some have even taken bank loans to sustain their work, and now find themselves under growing financial pressure with no clear solution in sight.
Demand for Urgent Action
As the crisis deepens, fishermen are urging the Fisheries Department and the Himachal Pradesh Government to step in immediately. They are calling for practical solutions to control silt accumulation, regulate water release, and protect fish populations.
Without timely intervention, this situation could not only threaten thousands of livelihoods but also disturb the ecological balance of Pong Lake.
