For non-vegetarians, it is the time for the delicious ‘Cheerameenu’. Only people of Godavari districts, that too living on the banks of the river Godavari, know the taste of Cheerameenu. This popular fish variety is found in the Godavari water which flows from upper parts and catchment areas particularly from Sileru Dam every year.
Cheerameenu is of one inch size. The age of Cheerameenu would be only 20 days and fishermen and people from other communities sell the fish as petty vendors. “When reddish water enters river Godavari, all the fishermen on the banks of the river spread saris (cheerelu) on the water and catch this fish. “Catching small fish with the help of sari is an art,” said Sattiraju, a fisherman from Atreyapuram. He said that catching this particular fish variety with the help of net was impossible as they were small in size.
The fish are caught usually in the early hours of the day in June-July. A handful of Cheerameenu costs Rs.50 to Rs.100. “if we mix it with tamarind leaf and dal (chintachiguru pappu with small fish), it would be a mouth-watering dish,” said Jyothi Venkatrao, who likes fish varieties. According to S. Vijayakumar, orthopaedic of SAI hospitals, this fish is rich in calcium and it is best for children between 8 and 18 years of age and for people having arthritis. The fisheries department is reportedly thinking of banning catching of this Cheerameenu variety because this fresh water fish will increase fish tremendously in rivers and streams.
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