Karnataka plans a 100-acre aqua park with facilities for fish farming, storage, markets, and sports fishing; sites in Udupi, Mandya, Bijapur shortlisted
Karnataka is preparing to establish its first integrated aqua park aimed at promoting fishing and allied activities across the state. The proposed facility, spread over 100 acres, is expected to serve as a comprehensive hub supporting everything from fish seed generation to processing and market access.
The initiative is part of a broader concept introduced by the Central Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Aqua parks are designed to provide end-to-end infrastructure for the fishing sector, enabling both commercial and recreational opportunities.
According to the plan, the park will host nine major facilities. These include fish food farming, seed generation and development, large-scale fish farming, cold storage and processing units, ornamental fish cultivation for aquariums, a modern market space, transport facilities, and sports fishing. Sports fishing, which involves recreational fishing competitions and leisure activities, is expected to be a key attraction for visitors.
The Karnataka Fisheries Department has shortlisted three potential sites for the project: Byndoor in Udupi district, Malavalli in Mandya, and Almatti in Bijapur. Each location has nearby water bodies that support fishing activity, but the final choice will depend on securing the required 100 acres of land. At Malavalli, close to Gaganachukki, 75 acres have already been identified, though the land belongs to the forest department and discussions are ongoing with the revenue department to resolve ownership issues.
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Officials emphasize that the park will provide a significant boost to the state’s fishing industry by integrating production, storage, and marketing facilities in one location. The project is also expected to generate employment opportunities, encourage entrepreneurship, and promote recreational fishing as a lifestyle activity.
Currently, only 11 states in India have received approval for aqua parks under PMMSY. Karnataka is confident that its proposal will be accepted soon, given the state’s strong demand for fishing infrastructure and its strategic location for aquaculture development. Once the site is finalized, a detailed project report will be prepared and submitted to the Union government for approval.
The aqua park is expected to strengthen Karnataka’s position in the fisheries sector, offering both economic and recreational benefits while supporting sustainable practices.
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