Thousands of traditional fishing families dependent on Bargi Reservoir are facing a severe livelihood crisis due to a steady decline in fish production, with many migrating to other reservoirs in search of work. Bargi Bandh Visthapit Evam Prabhavit Sangh has urged the Madhya Pradesh Government to conduct an independent scientific study to determine the reasons behind the falling fish yield and to introduce reforms in fisheries management. According to the Association, a large number of fishermen have been forced to leave the Bargi Reservoir and seek work at Bansagar, Rajgarh, Machhagora and other reservoirs. As migrant workers, they face low wages, unfair payments and economic exploitation by local contractors and traders. Association’s Rajkumar Sinha informed that fishermen’s primary cooperative societies have long demanded a comprehensive scientific assessment of the reservoir’s ecosystem, water-level fluctuations, fish species and fisheries management practices.

 

They argue that without such a study, the real reasons for the declining fish production cannot be identified or addressed. The Association also alleged that the current fish seed stocking system lacks transparency. It claimed that there is no independent monitoring of the quality, quantity, species selection and timely release of fish seed into the reservoir, adversely affecting fish production. It said that regular stocking of high-quality fish seed based on scientific standards could significantly improve fish yield. Spread over approximately 16,000 hectares, the Bargi Reservoir supports the livelihoods of nearly 3,000 fishing families associated with 54 primary fishermen’s cooperative societies across Jabalpur, Mandla and Seoni districts. The Association said the decline in fish production has directly affected the income, employment and socio-economic condition of these families.

 

The association pointed out that in the 1990s, the State Government dissolved the State Fisheries Development Corporation and transferred fisheries management to MP State Fisheries Federation to ensure the participation of active fishermen in decision-making. However, it alleged that elections to the federation have not been held for over two decades and that its affairs are currently being managed by a Govern-ment appointed administrator, affecting democratic participation and cooperative spirit. Bargi Dam Displaced and Affected Association has demanded that the State Government to conduct an independent and scientific study into the declining fish production in the Bargi Reservoir. Make the fish seed stocking process transparent, scientific and participatory. Increase wages paid to fishermen in line with rising inflation and labour costs and hold long-pending elections to Madhya Pradesh State Fisheries Federation and restore democratic representation for fishermen.

 

According to the figures released by the Association, fish production in the Bargi Reservoir has fluctuated sharply in recent years. In the year 2017–18, the production was 55 tonnes, in 2018–19 it was 213 tonnes; in 2019–20, it dropped to 95 tonnes; in 2020–21, it was 28 tonnes; in 2021–22, it improved to 114 tonnes; in 2022–23, it again saw a rise to 211 tonnes; in 2023-24, it was 123 tonnes while in the year 2024-25 the production was reduced significantly upto 27 tonnes. The Association warned that if timely action is not taken, the livelihood crisis among traditional fishing communities will deepen further, forcing more families to migrate away from their own reservoir in search of employment. The Association also claimed that between 1994 and 2000, Bargi Dam Displaced Fish Production and Marketing Cooperative Union, Jabalpur, recorded an average annual fish production of around 450 tonnes, highlighting the significant decline in recent years.