Tata Power strengthen its commitment to save the Mighty Mahseer 

India CSR News Network

MUMBAI: Tata Power, India’s largest integrated power company, has been relentlessly working towards conservation and saving of Mighty Mahseer through its ‘Act for Mahseer’ movement.

The company, today has strengthen its commitment towards saving the Mighty Mahseer by launching a campaign to donate a fingerling to fresh water for each pledge that is taken to save Mahseer. This initiative is a part of Tata Power’s ‘Act for Mahseer’, a sustainable programme focused at conservation of the Mahseer, an endangered species of fish and was undertaken in 1975.

The objective of this campaign will be to encourage people to make a difference through their individual efforts and provide them an opportunity to save a life. Through the ‘Act for Mahseer’ initiative, 2250 people have pledged till date from various locations like Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, USA, Italy, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom, Portugal, Russia, Germany, Denmark, Australia, Austria, Sweden, Greece, Canada, Mexico, France, UAE, Argentina, Serbia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Dominican Republic. The campaign will also work towards its broader objective to conserve the Mahseer species which is still classified as an endangered species.

Tata Power recently launched a campaign ‘Save Mahseer, Save Us- Stop Water Pollution!’ which is aimed at focusing on reducing water pollution and sensitizing towards importance of water bodies which will help saving fresh water habitats.

The company has an ongoing digital initiative which confers the title of ‘Fish’s Knight’ to individuals who will help in sensitising citizens on ‘saving the Mahseer’. These Knights are further encouraged through various forms of recognition across platforms. The best Knights may also win a trip to a location where Mahseer conservation is being undertaken. The most active knights will be privileged to speak as Company representatives at various forums like awareness sessions with Club Enerji kids, employee kid’s camp or as an introductory speaker at important Company gatherings.

Commenting on the launch of the initiative Anil Sardana, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Power stated, “Tata Power under its movement ‘Act for Mahseer’ has organized various initiative to help preserve this valuable fish species in a big way at national level. Our efforts at nation building are not just limited to lighting up lives by providing energy to the nation, but also includes caring for the community & flora and fauna near our areas of operations. This initiative will recognize every individual’s efforts to save Mahseer fish and give a feeling of joy for saving a life. We are delighted to see the kind of response we have received from the people who have pledged. I take this opportunity to appeal to all to take the pledge and make a difference”.

The Mahseer breeding programme has entered its 43rd year and is the most successful Mahseer breeding facility in India. Tata Power has developed methods of breeding of two valid endangered species of Mahseer out of six reported by stripping and artificial fertilisation. Tata Power has also established standard techniques of breeding the Mahseer species after in-depth research in breeding several lakhs of fingerlings. Today, the hatchery breeds around 2.5 to 3 lakhs fries every year and releases them back into the lake.

As part of Tata Power’s eco-restoration and eco-development programme, Pisciculture was undertaken in 1970 for ecological improvement of the lakes, for food and sport and for breeding, conserving and rehabilitating the endangered fish species, Mahseer and Indian Trout. The conservation of the endangered Mahseer by Tata Power at Lonavala includes two out of six valid species, of which one is the world famous Golden Mahseer from the Himalayan region. This outstanding initiative has received national recognition. This is one of the biggest conservation efforts in India.

The survival of the magnificent Mahseer, one of the 20 mega fishes of the world is important, for with its success we will have taken one more step towards preserving our eco-system. Tata Power has taken up the conservancy programme of the Mahseer in right earnest. The Company has also carried out cage culture and ranching programmes successfully and demonstrated the use of such research programmes for replication all over the country. Around 300 Fishery Scientists have also been trained to date to continue conservation efforts.