Role of Floodplain wetlands in supporting livelihood: A case study of Ansupa Lake in Odisha.

Abstract

The present study illustrates the importance of floodplain wetlands in supporting livelihood through ecosystem goods and services provided by the Ansupa Lake in Odisha. Fishing and Agricultural crops are the two provisioning services provided by the Lake. The Lake provides subsistence fisheries round the year in term of small indigenous fishes, table size fishes and important ornamental fisheries. While among agricultural crops rice form the highest income commodity. Further, the Lake provides eco-tourism as a source of income for the livelihood due to its unique biodiversity of flora and fauna. But in due course of time, the Lake has undergone shrinkage in water area due to siltation and other anthropogenic activities. Hence a good management practice by involving local stakeholders with community participation can help in restoring the wetlands in the long run as well as will improve the livelihood of the poor people.