Union Budget 2026-27 initiative to boost inland fisheries, empower women-led groups and expand freshwater fish production across 27 states

Key Highlights

• 500 water bodies identified for integrated fisheries development, including 351 reservoirs and 100 Amrit Sarovars
• Initiative announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 to strengthen India’s Blue Economy
• Programme aims to enhance inland fish production and improve livelihoods for fishing communities
• Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs), fisheries cooperatives and women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to play a key role
• Maharashtra (34), Kerala (28), Chhattisgarh (27), Telangana (27) and Odisha (25) have the highest number of identified reservoirs

News

The Government of India has identified 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars across the country for integrated fisheries and aquaculture development under a major Blue Economy initiative announced in the Union Budget 2026-27.

According to the Department of Fisheries, the programme aims to unlock the untapped fisheries potential of inland water bodies while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for fishers, women-led groups and fisheries cooperatives.

As part of the first phase, the government has identified 351 reservoirs across 27 states and 100 Amrit Sarovars across 21 states for fisheries development.

Implementation will be based on Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) submitted by States and Union Territories. The selected water bodies have been identified in consultation with state governments, considering factors such as perennial water availability and fisheries potential.

Community-Led Fisheries Development

The Department of Fisheries said the initiative will promote greater participation from:

• Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs)
• Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
• Fisheries cooperatives

Support will be provided for forming new producer organisations and strengthening existing community institutions to improve fish production, market access and income generation.

States with Highest Number of Identified Reservoirs

Among the 351 reservoirs selected for development:

• Jharkhand – 41
• Maharashtra – 34
• Kerala – 28
• Chhattisgarh – 27
• Telangana – 27
• Odisha – 25
• Madhya Pradesh – 22
• Uttar Pradesh – 19
• Rajasthan – 15
• Andhra Pradesh – 13

For the 100 Amrit Sarovars, Uttar Pradesh leads with 12 identified sites, followed by Maharashtra and Telangana with 6 each, while several other states have between 2 and 5 identified water bodies.

The information was shared by Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Hospitality Industry Impact

The expansion of inland fisheries across reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars is expected to improve the availability of freshwater fish for hotels, restaurants and catering businesses. Increased fish production could diversify seafood offerings while strengthening local sourcing for hospitality operators, particularly in inland states where marine seafood availability is limited.

The involvement of producer organisations and cooperatives is also likely to improve aggregation, quality control and direct market access, creating more organised supply chains for the foodservice industry.

Travel & Tourism Impact

The initiative could support rural, eco and culinary tourism by transforming reservoirs into hubs for fisheries, recreational activities and local food experiences. Communities engaged in aquaculture may develop tourism-linked opportunities such as fish-based culinary trails, recreational angling, village tourism and local seafood festivals, contributing to regional tourism growth.

Why It Matter

The integrated development of 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars marks one of India’s largest inland fisheries initiatives under the Blue Economy strategy. Beyond boosting freshwater fish production, the programme is expected to strengthen rural livelihoods, empower women-led organisations and improve supply chains that support the hospitality, foodservice and tourism sectors.