323
M. Rawat et al. (eds.), Aquatic Ecosystem: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation,
DOI 10.1007/978-81-322-2178-4_19, © Springer India 2015
Abstract
This study was conducted in the wetlands of Barpeta District, Assam, to
assess the chemical, biological parameters and biodiversity. Detailed
chemical parameters, biological parameters of this wetlands and availability of biodiversity resources have been presented and conservation measures are discussed in this chapter.
Keywords
Wetland • Floodplain • Livelihood • Fishery • Assam
P. Sarma (*)
M.C. College , Barpeta , Assam , India
e-mail: kiranmayipu@gmail.com
K. Sarma
University School of Environment Management,
GGS Indraprastha University , Sector-16C , Dwarka ,
New Delhi 110 078 , India
19
Living with Wetlands: A Case Study
from the Wetlands ( Beels )
of Barpeta District, Assam
Prakash Sarma and Kiranmay Sarma
Introduction
Wetlands of fl oodplain provide valuable ecosystem services to society all over the world. From
the time immemorial, there has been symbiotic
association of man and aquatic ecosystem. The
fi rst sign of civilization is traced to wetland areas
(Selvamani and Mahadevan 2008 ). The fl oodplains of the Indus, the Nile delta and the fertile
crescent of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers are the
footprint of modern civilizations. In India most
of the natural wetlands are connected with the
river system, and the management of this natural
resource to meet people’s requirements has been
practiced since the pre-Vedic era (Dholakia
2004 ). Until recently, the special role played by
fi sh and other aquatic resources as essential component of poor people’s livelihoods has been
almost ignored (Ramakrishna 2008 ). Fishery is
one of the high-priority sectors of Indian economy. In the rural economy of Assam, the importance of fi shery is next to agriculture (Baruah
1999 ). The sector contributes about 2.4 % of the
state’s net domestic product and provides
employment to about 4.75 lakh persons. Although
over 95 % of the population consumes fi sh, the
state produces less than 50 % of her total requirement and as such the per capita consumption rate
is less than 1.9 kg as to the national average of
5.0 kg. Assam produces about 53,000 tons of fi sh
annually and 14 % of it comes from culture fi shery;
40 % from wetlands (locally known as beels ) and
46 % from the riverine resources (Statistical
Hand Book of Assam 2001 ).
M. Rawat et al. (eds.), Aquatic Ecosystem: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation,
DOI 10.1007/978-81-322-2178-4_19, © Springer India 2015
Abstract
This study was conducted in the wetlands of Barpeta District, Assam, to
assess the chemical, biological parameters and biodiversity. Detailed
chemical parameters, biological parameters of this wetlands and availability of biodiversity resources have been presented and conservation measures are discussed in this chapter.
Keywords
Wetland • Floodplain • Livelihood • Fishery • Assam
P. Sarma (*)
M.C. College , Barpeta , Assam , India
e-mail: kiranmayipu@gmail.com
K. Sarma
University School of Environment Management,
GGS Indraprastha University , Sector-16C , Dwarka ,
New Delhi 110 078 , India
19
Living with Wetlands: A Case Study
from the Wetlands ( Beels )
of Barpeta District, Assam
Prakash Sarma and Kiranmay Sarma
Introduction
Wetlands of fl oodplain provide valuable ecosystem services to society all over the world. From
the time immemorial, there has been symbiotic
association of man and aquatic ecosystem. The
fi rst sign of civilization is traced to wetland areas
(Selvamani and Mahadevan 2008 ). The fl oodplains of the Indus, the Nile delta and the fertile
crescent of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers are the
footprint of modern civilizations. In India most
of the natural wetlands are connected with the
river system, and the management of this natural
resource to meet people’s requirements has been
practiced since the pre-Vedic era (Dholakia
2004 ). Until recently, the special role played by
fi sh and other aquatic resources as essential component of poor people’s livelihoods has been
almost ignored (Ramakrishna 2008 ). Fishery is
one of the high-priority sectors of Indian economy. In the rural economy of Assam, the importance of fi shery is next to agriculture (Baruah
1999 ). The sector contributes about 2.4 % of the
state’s net domestic product and provides
employment to about 4.75 lakh persons. Although
over 95 % of the population consumes fi sh, the
state produces less than 50 % of her total requirement and as such the per capita consumption rate
is less than 1.9 kg as to the national average of
5.0 kg. Assam produces about 53,000 tons of fi sh
annually and 14 % of it comes from culture fi shery;
40 % from wetlands (locally known as beels ) and
46 % from the riverine resources (Statistical
Hand Book of Assam 2001 ).