‘Murrel’ declared as state fish for Telangana

Hyderabad: The Telangana State government on Wednesday declared ‘Murrel’ as the state fish. Murrel fish is widely known in Telugu as ‘Korramatta’ or ‘Korrameenu’ which is one of the largest producing species across the state.

It has been added as seventh state icon identified by the government for different species of State bird – Pala Pitta (Indian Roller or Blue Jay); flower – Tangedu (Tanner’s Cassia); fruit – Mango; Tree – Jammi Tree (Prosopis Cineraria); Sport – Kabaddi and Animal – Jinka (deer).

The government also issued guidelines recommended by an expert committee on animal and fish biodiversity to regulate exotic fish culture like Tilapia so as to conserve the indigenous aquatic diversity in the water bodies in Telangana.

According to the government order, as many as 109 fish species were found in rivers, canals and other water bodies in the state ans many of them were nearly threatened and vulnerable which forced the government to take the decision to permit Tilapia fish nurseries only if they were already registered with the Fisheries Department.