Bio-Economics of Wetland Aquaculture in West Bengal, India

摘要

The East Kolkata Wetlands provide a range of ecosystem services which form the base of ecological security of theentire region and livelihoods of dependent communities. Being a dynamic ecosystem, the wetland is also subject to influencefrom various natural as well as human factors. Integrated management of the East Kolkata wetland fisheries and its catchmentsis crucial for maintaining the rich productivity of the wetland ecosystem as well as achieving wise use of resources bycommunities. It is essential to implement conservation measures for proper management of the aquatic resources and suitablemeasure to be taken for up-gradation of breeding ground, feeding zones and migration area. The wetland fisheries which islocally known as ‘bheri’ can take a role in the development of fisheries in the state contributing towards the bio-economics aswell as socio economic up-liftment of the poor peoples. Bheri fisheries played an important role to the market economy and fishconsumption in West Bengal. The neighboring households use these wetland for various purpose viz. agriculture, water supply,fisheries, irrigation, livestock grazing, jute retting etc. Wetland fisheries in East Kolkata area play a significant role by providingmany goods and services in the livelihoods of the local people. Wetland fisheries constitute an important fishery resourcescontributing significantly to the fish production apart from providing livelihood to thousands of poor fishers. Normally thewetland fisheries in East Kolkata are productive environment. In wetland fisheries the natural fish population and their growthare monitored to obtain the desired production levels whereas in the closed ones stocking is the mainstay of management.