How the Kaleshwaram project boosted fish and prawn production in Telangana

Telangana’s fish and prawn production surged between 2016–17 and 2023–24, driven by KLIP and State support. Fish output more than doubled, and prawn cultivation nearly tripled, but recent cuts in water and seed distribution under Congress hampered further growth

Hyderabad: Telangana witnessed a remarkable surge in fish and prawn production between 2014–15 and 2023–24, particularly after the commissioning of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) in 2019. The fisheries sector, once underutilised, had emerged as a significant contributor to rural livelihoods and State revenue.

With the third-largest inland water spread in the country, covering 5.73 lakh sq km across tanks, lakes, and reservoirs, Telangana ranked fifth in inland fish production nationally.

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Fish output rose from 1.93 lakh tonnes in 2016–17 to 4.39 lakh tonnes in 2023–24, marking a growth of 127 per cent. The value of fish production nearly tripled during this period—from Rs 2,111 crore to Rs 6,514 crore. Prawn production also recorded a 98 per cent jump, from 5,189 tonnes in 2016–17 to 16,532 tonnes in 2023–24, while its value grew from Rs 142 crore to Rs 545 crore.

The turnaround began in 2017–18, when the Telangana government launched large-scale releases of fishlings and shrimp seed into water bodies. Fish production spiked to 2.62 lakh tonnes that year and continued its upward trajectory, aided by the increased water availability due to KLIP. Water pumped into tanks and reservoirs through KLIP helped boost aquatic cultivation.

The number of fishlings released rose sharply from 27.85 crore in 2016–17 to 85.6 crore in 2023–24, across more than 26,000 water bodies. Around 10 crore shrimp seedlings were released in 2023–24 alone.

Fishermen Cooperative Societies across the State benefited significantly, with higher incomes and increasing memberships reflecting the success of targeted government interventions and sustained water resource development. However, the sector had recently seen setbacks, with a decline in water availability and reduced support for fishling and shrimp seed releases under the Congress regime, affecting overall production.