Wetland ecosystem management for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in Bihar: Potential and perspectives.

Abstract

Bihar has a huge water resource in the form of wet-lands, which accounts for 403, 209 ha. The rivers and the wetland are the major water resource, which is untapped to explore for their full potential. The proper utilization and conservation shall be seen and planned to be tapped at the entrepreneurial level and gov-ernment level as a conjoint efort. The region needs scientifc efort for wetland-based aquaculture and a holistic efort for conservation. The most important resource potential lies in the form of indigenous fish pecies, more than 20 indigenous species are commer-cially demanded in the local market. However, more than 30 species of nshes can be taken in culture in Bihar, the species of prawn and ornamental shes will be additional. The wetland is native ground for breeding and culture of these demanded indigenous freshwater shes and will be a revenue-generating resource from wetlands. A parallel approach for uti-lization of these river prawns and their domestication in culture, though a proper, package of practice will create a new avenue in freshwater prawn sheries and aquaculture. The production of export-oriented scampi, pabda and ornamental sh like tiger loach has huge export potential. The diversified method of culture, some other biological and technological interventions are required to utilize wetland, in an eco-friendly manner. Aquaculture in wetlands has huge potential, but the major objective for such activity shall be culture and conservation both. To use this giant resource in the state, in a sustainable manner, the ecosystem of the wetland shall be kept untouched and conserved. The linkage of wetland and river will be more successful, if the river is linked to the wetland so, it will ensure the distribution, nat-ural breeding, and ranching of fish genetic potential and it will add to the conservation and biodiversity protection of the wetland. A fine balance between livelihood, conservation and utilization will ensure sustainability in production. The production and sustainable utilization require mass awareness and knowledge sharing between major stakeholders like shers, aqua farmers, and local inhabitants of the wetland zone