States » SouthPosted at: Oct 1 2026 7:06PM


Black clam regeneration in Vembanad Lake records seven-eight-fold production

Kochi, Oct 1 (UNI) A black clam regeneration initiative of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) has recorded encouraging results in Vembanad Lake, with the production reaching seven to eight times the quantity of the seed initially stocked, according to the institute.
The success of the stock enhancement project was marked by a harvest festival held after a 12-month culture period following the relaying of five tonnes of black clam seed in a one-hectare area at Vadakkumkara in Alappuzha district.
The black clam (Villorita cyprinoides), one of the most important fishery resources of Vembanad Lake, accounts for more than 80 per cent of India's total clam resources. The resource directly supports the livelihoods of more than 6,000 families, while nearly twice that number depend on allied activities associated with the clam fishery.
The initiative gains significance amid a sustained decline in clam resources in Vembanad due to intensive exploitation and changing environmental conditions. CMFRI estimates show that the black clam catch from the region declined from a peak of 75,592 tonnes in 2006 to 45,601 tonnes in 2024, a decline of nearly 40 per cent.
Under the project, five tonnes of black clam seed were stocked in a one-hectare area in September last year. The clams showed good growth during the culture period, with a survival rate of around 80 to 90 per cent.
The harvested stock was seven to eight times the quantity of the initially stocked seed. Production from the one-hectare area is expected to reach around 40 tonnes, demonstrating the potential of planned clam stock enhancement in restoring the resource base.
The project was implemented with 100 per cent subsidy for Scheduled Caste communities under the Central Government's Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP), with technical guidance from CMFRI and in collaboration with the Thaikkattussery Black Clam Co-operative Society.
Inaugurating the harvest, CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George said the stock enhancement initiative demonstrated how scientific regeneration could help replenish the declining clam resource while providing sustained livelihood support to fishing communities.
He said replenishing the natural clam stock could also contribute to the ecological functioning and productivity of the estuarine ecosystem, where clams play an important role as filter-feeding organisms.
CMFRI Senior Scientist Dr Vidya R, who coordinated the project, said the relaying site was identified through scientific assessment and had no existing clam stock.
"Standard sampling methods and an appropriate stocking density were adopted to ensure effective stock enhancement. The successful outcome highlights the potential of scientific intervention to combine resource regeneration, ecosystem recovery and sustained livelihood support for local communities," she said.
UNI DS
Tags: #Black clam regeneration in Vembanad Lake records seven-eight-fold production
More News

AP: Election Commission must restore public confidence in electoral system: Raghuveera Reddy

01 Oct 2026 | 7:54 PM

Vijayawada, Oct 1 (UNI) Congress Working Committee (CWC) Member Dr N Raghuveera Reddy Thursday said that widespread concern is being expressed across the country over the manner in which the Election Commission is functioning and over the developments taking place in the name of revision of electoral rolls.

see more..

Madras HC closes Rs 4 crore cheating case against Ex-AIADMk Minister , says no prima facie evidence citing police report

01 Oct 2026 | 7:52 PM

Chennai, Oct 1 (UNI) The Madras High Court on Thursday closed a petition seeking registration of a case against former AIADMK Minister C Vijayabaskar, now with the ruling TVK, over an alleged Rs.4-crore cheating fraud, after the police submitted there was no prima facie basis for the complaint.

see more..

Protect soil, water and nature for agriculture to survive: Idukki Collector

01 Oct 2026 | 7:19 PM

Munnar (Kerala), Oct 1 (UNI) Agriculture can survive only if soil, water and nature are protected, Idukki District Collector Dr Dineshan Cheruvath said here on Thursday.

see more..

Black clam regeneration in Vembanad Lake records seven-eight-fold production

01 Oct 2026 | 7:06 PM

Kochi, Oct 1 (UNI) A black clam regeneration initiative of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) has recorded encouraging results in Vembanad Lake, with the production reaching seven to eight times the quantity of the seed initially stocked, according to the institute.

see more..

AP Govt to challenge AP HC verdict on BC reservations in local bodies in SC

01 Oct 2026 | 7:05 PM

Repalle, Oct 1 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Thursday announced that the government will approach the Supreme Court on the AP High Court’s verdict, dismissing the government’s decision to provide 34 per cent reservations to the BCs in the rural urban bodies and 33.33 per cent reservations in the urban local bodies in the ensuing elections. .

see more..