Bangalore to have country’s first aqua park

Karnataka Government will soon be setting up the country’s first aqua park on the outskirts of Bangalore with the aim of promoting commercial production of ornamental fish, which enjoys a huge market in the country and abroad.

To mark the 50th anniversary of Karnataka’s Fisheries Department, the State Government has decided to establish an aqua park on a 13 acre plot at Hessarghatta on the outskirts of Bangalore and encourage young entrepreneurs to breed and market ornamental fish with the assistance of Government.

According to Joint Director of Karnataka’s Fisheries Department N R Ramakrishna, the State Government seeks to tap the growing market for ornamental fish in India and abroad. “Bangalore City alone has about 500 shops dealing with aquariums and ornamental fish. Not only do thousands of households in the City boast of an aquarium, a large number of corporate and business firms, besides restaurants and star hotels have aquariums”, he said.

In view of the large number of people in Bangalore and other metros in the country importing fabricated aquariums and other accessories, the demand for ornamental fish is expected to increase in the coming days, he said. A large number of people are interested in acquiring exotic species of ornamental fish and add to their growing collection.

Claiming that the demand for ornamental fish in Bangalore and other parts of the State was presently being met by traders from Chennai and Kerala, Ramakrishna said the aqua park, which is being set up at a cost of Rs 15 million, would help meet not only the domestic demand but also exploit the huge export potential.

With Hessarghatta located close to the upcoming international airport at Devanahalli near Bangalore, Ramakrishna felt the exporters of ornamental fish would enjoy easy access to the airport.

Admitting that very little progress had been made in the country with regard to ornamental fish culture, Ramakrishna said the Karnataka Government seeks to take the lead by establishing an aqua park. Already, a team of officials from the Fisheries Department and experts has visited several parts of the country to study the ornamental fish culture, he added.