OREANDA-NEWS. July 12, 2011. As part of its commitment to biodiversity efforts, Tata Power, India’s largest integrated private power company, has joined hands with FONA, an NGO focused on Mahseer (a species of fish) conservation in the Indrayani river. Mahseer is an endangered fish species and the initiative is focused on reviving the population of Mahseer in the Indrayani river. Tata Power will supply one lakh fries every year for three consecutive years, of which 12,000 (one-year-old fries) have already been sent to the NGO.

Taking cognisance of the alarming decline in the population of Mahseer, Tata Power undertook a massive Mahseer conservation initiative in 1975 and set up a breeding centre at Lonavla. It is the only breeding centre till date which breeds and supplies fingerlings to various states in India — Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Assam.

Further, post in-depth research and conservation of Mahseer for the past 35 years, Tata Power has established standard techniques of breeding the Mahseer species and has bred several lakh fingerlings. The hatchery continues to breed three to four lakh fingerlings every year. In 2001, Tata Power introduced culturing of the Golden Mahseer and the Deccan Mahseer in floating net cages at Walwhan Lake, Lonavla.

Speaking about the collaboration, Mahesh Paranjpe, head, hydros, Tata Power, said, “Tata Power has put concerted efforts towards Mahseer conservation for over 35 years. The association with the NGO — FONA — further reflects our commitment towards the cause and reiterates Tata Power’s continued endeavour towards biodiversity conservation.”