Odisha government Friday signed a pact with the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) for independent research on the conservation, protection and increased production of the state fish ‘Mahanadi Mahaseer.’

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in Bhubaneswar in presence of Minister of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, Gokulananda Mallik, during the state-level celebrations of World Fisheries Day.

Fisheries and Animal Resources Development principal secretary Suresh Kumar Vashistha said the state will provide Rs 5 crore to CIFA over the next five years to carry out research on the fish species.

CIFA director Pramoda Kumar Sahoo said the Mahanadi Mahaseer, a sports fish found in high-flowing and cold-water habitats, is facing declining populations due to

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