SRIKAKULAM: Madduvalasa reservoir, a major irrigation project across Suvarnamukhi river in Vangara mandal in the district, which helps irrigate thousands of acres, is a boon for 600 fishermen families of 10 villages.

The fisherfolk have formed themselves into the Inland Fishermen Cooperative Society (IFCoS) for fishing in the 70-feet deep fresh water reservoir.

The people in the surrounding villages Pattuvardhana, Devagedda, Sriharipuram, Narendrapuram and Lakshmipeta begin their work in the wee hours and toil till sunset. The bulk catches in the reservoir come in May, June and July.

Each member of IFCoS fishes about 10 to 20 kilograms a day. The catch include fish species like Bochu, Peethaparigilu, Savada, Mittalu, Gandi chepa, Pandu Meenu, Royyalu, Yerra Maila etc which are in demand.

While some sell fish locally, others export them to Rajam and Palakonda in the district. The IFCoS members export the fish to Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts.

"Fish costs Rs 25 to 30 per kilogram locally, while the same fish shoots up to Rs 50 to Rs 60 elsewhere," says fisherman Kevati Ramakrishna.

His cousin P Ramanamma recounts: "The government gave no land before evacuating us or while constructing the project. But the reservoir gives us fish and livelihood."

Fisheries assistant director YJ Prabhu Das told this website's newspaper the reservoir has been leased out to IFCoS for five years. Initially, the cost of the government’s chalan was Rs 2.9 lakh. But, this year it is Rs 5.4 lakh.

However, with rich productivity coming their way, the Fisheries department has sanctioned a grant of Rs 5 lakh for the Reservoir Stocking Scheme, and sought more boats and nets for the fishermen, which will be supplied to the IFCoS, Das added.