Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Tuesday made a bizarre statement by saying that ducks can increase oxygen levels in water bodies by swimming in them. The chief minister gave the statement while he was addressing an inaugural event of a traditional boat race at Rudrasagar, which is an artificial lake around the water palace Neermahal.
Adding to his statement, Deb also said he wanted to distribute ducks among villagers in his state as they would boost the rural economy.
“When ducks swim in water, oxygen level automatically increases in the water body. It (oxygen) gets recycled. Fish in the water will get more oxygen. They also benefit from the bird droppings,” the chief minister said.
“Thus, pisciculture (fish farming) will benefit and fish will grow faster, that too in a completely organic way,” he added.
There are numerous benefits of duck-rearing, according to Deb, as he said each family in the area should keep at least five ducks so that children could benefit from the additional vitamin and protein supplements.
Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said he planned to distribute 50,000 ducklings to fishermen who lived near the lake and especially at tourist destinations near water bodies.
White ducklings would boost the rural economy and would enhance natural beauty, he added.
Urging fishermen to rear while ducklings at the Rudrasagar lake, the chief minister of Tripura claimed that rearing of ducks and poultry is tradition that was ruined in the 25-year Left rule.
Scientist approve of Biplab Deb's statement
Approving of Tripura CM's statement, a scientist at Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education said ducks actually do help in increasing oxygen level in a water body.
"Duck-fish farming is integrated farming. Ducks's excreta helps growth of fish. Ducks are natural aerators and help in increasing oxygen level. This has been proved through studies," scientist A Debbarma.
Sanjay Mishra, OSD to Tripura CM, also came out to rescue Deb and said unnecessary controversy was being created over by a section of people.
"This isn't the first time that such controversy has erupted over the CM's speech," Mishra said. He added that those present at the spot understood what he was saying. But those who were not there misunderstood it and represented it in a wrong way.
"This has been happening to tarnish his (Biplab Deb's) image," the official said.
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