Binika, July 17: It was a big catch for some Binika-based fishermen on Thursday as they hunted a giant fish i.e a rare ‘Bodu Fish’ from the Mahanadi.
The fish that weighs at least 1 quintal was later fetched for Rs 3,00000 as the aquatic being with medicinal value was imported by a West Bengal-based medicine company.
According to reports, Anantram Muduli and Sujit Sethi, traditional fishermen living in Odisha’s Binika village on the bank of the River Mahanadi sailed deep into the Mahanadi water in the morning for fishing. Meanwhile, they felt something unusual when a giant aquatic being supposedly a croc, shook their fishing net, even the big-size smack as if it was going to wreak an instant capsize.However, the duo managed to draw the heavier net with wit towards the river bank. To their surprise, it was neither a gharial nor an alligator, but a giant ‘Bodu Fish’.Managing it to draw aground, the two hunted the fish with the help of scores of co-fishermen.
“We had earlier hunted other fish weighing at best 30-40 kg.Today, we hunted a giant ‘Bodu Fish’, what our forefathers told us earlier about”, said Anantaram, a fisherman.
As soon as the video featuring the texture of the fish, did round on social media, we received a call from Kolkata-based pharma who expressed their interest to purchase it. As we locked the deal, the medicine company imported the ‘Bodu Fish’ at Rs 300 a Kilo and credited Rs 3,00000 in toto to our accounts, said Sujit.
The ‘Bodu Fish’, according to the veteran fishermen residing along the Mahanadi River system, is a rare species of fish and costlier for its medicinal value. It’s a miniature breed of the fish alike the ‘Antlantic Cod’, which is a staple for costly dishes and its oil is enriched with essential Vitamin A, D, E with brain-booster Omega-3 & Fatty Acids.
