643
sizes <0.5 ha, while about 26,500 number of
waterbodies with water spread area between 0.5
and 10 ha constitute a cumulative water spread
area of c 43,000 ha. At present, aquaculture in
ponds and tanks happens to the main support
for livelihood of the poor fi sh farmers in the
rural areas, not only in Bihar but also in many
parts of the world. However, in many regions,
the productivity of ponds is only about 800 kg/ha,
which is much below their potential of 3,000–
5,000 kg/ha/year. Fragmented and small size
of land holdings due to higher growth rate of
population, heavy siltation vis-à-vis poor
physical condition of ponds, burgeoning trend
of converting ponds into habitations, etc., are
some of the possible reasons which have made
the pond aquaculture remain as a subsistence
activity.
The policy may propose to bring aquaculture
at par with agriculture in terms of credit, taxation, energy charges, water tariff and land allocation owing to the similarities between the two
sectors in the resource use pattern, providing
livelihood support to people and so on. The policy may also envisage that all types of waterbodies which are <10 ha in size may be brought
under composite fi sh culture through improved
scientifi c techniques and try to achieve an annual
average productivity of 3,000–5,000 kg/ha. This
could be made possible by restoration and renovation of existing waterbodies (wherever
required), creation of new waterbodies, imparting training on appropriate technologies, extension support and ensuring availability of all
inputs and support services including credit
facilities. Also, supports under various schemes
are to be mobilised for renovation of the government ponds.
30.4 Development of Fisheries
in Oxbow Lakes
An estimated 9,000 ha of water spread area,
varying in size from 4 to 400 ha in the form of
o x-bow lakes or mauns, offers immense scope
for scientifi c culture-based fi sheries development supporting a sizeable number of fi shers
and small and marginal farming households
in Bihar. An almost similar situation occurs in
many other regions of the world, particularly in
the developing countries. The oxbow lakes
(mostly wetlands) are the discarded loops of
meandering rivers, which get disconnected from
the main river. However, in many cases, connection with the main river is established during
rainy season, and the wetland receives water
from the river. The oxbow lakes are called
‘Anua’ in Barak valley region of Assam. At
present, mainly capture fi sheries is practised in
many of these oxbow wetlands. Only about
2,700 ha area, i.e . less than one-third of available area, has been brought under culture with
average productivity of 300–400 kg/ha/year.
These wetlands have been subjected to a number of stress factors like heavy infestation of
aquatic weeds, siltation, encroachment and habitat degradation, leading to considerable decline
in its physical expanse and aquatic biodiversity
(Dey 1981 ; Dey and Kar 1989 ; Govt. of Assam
2006 ; Kar 2007a ; Barman et al. 2008 ).
The policy may seek to bring almost every
oxbow lake into culture-based fi sheries (they
being potential in culture-based fi sheries) by the
year 2020 and produce nearly 9,000 tons of fi sh
production every year. The policy may encourage
community-participated management of the
oxbow lakes by active involvement of local fi shing and farming communities. The leasing policy
may ensure long-term leasing of waterbodies to
facilitate investment and inculcate a sense of
ownership and sustainable production approach.
The leasing priority, lease rent, terms and conditions are to be streamlined and subjected to
periodic review from time to time. Cluster development approach may be adopted to ensure easy
and round the year availability of adequate and
quality fi sh seed. Comprehensive surveys and
mapping should be done for proper planning,
renovation and restoration of oxbow lakes to
make them suitable for profi table fi sh culture.
Further, regular training and technical support are
some of the most essential parts of the management strategy, so as to help the local communities
to manage these ecologically signifi cant resources
sustainably.
30.4 Development of Fisheries in Oxbow Lakes
sizes <0.5 ha, while about 26,500 number of
waterbodies with water spread area between 0.5
and 10 ha constitute a cumulative water spread
area of c 43,000 ha. At present, aquaculture in
ponds and tanks happens to the main support
for livelihood of the poor fi sh farmers in the
rural areas, not only in Bihar but also in many
parts of the world. However, in many regions,
the productivity of ponds is only about 800 kg/ha,
which is much below their potential of 3,000–
5,000 kg/ha/year. Fragmented and small size
of land holdings due to higher growth rate of
population, heavy siltation vis-à-vis poor
physical condition of ponds, burgeoning trend
of converting ponds into habitations, etc., are
some of the possible reasons which have made
the pond aquaculture remain as a subsistence
activity.
The policy may propose to bring aquaculture
at par with agriculture in terms of credit, taxation, energy charges, water tariff and land allocation owing to the similarities between the two
sectors in the resource use pattern, providing
livelihood support to people and so on. The policy may also envisage that all types of waterbodies which are <10 ha in size may be brought
under composite fi sh culture through improved
scientifi c techniques and try to achieve an annual
average productivity of 3,000–5,000 kg/ha. This
could be made possible by restoration and renovation of existing waterbodies (wherever
required), creation of new waterbodies, imparting training on appropriate technologies, extension support and ensuring availability of all
inputs and support services including credit
facilities. Also, supports under various schemes
are to be mobilised for renovation of the government ponds.
30.4 Development of Fisheries
in Oxbow Lakes
An estimated 9,000 ha of water spread area,
varying in size from 4 to 400 ha in the form of
o x-bow lakes or mauns, offers immense scope
for scientifi c culture-based fi sheries development supporting a sizeable number of fi shers
and small and marginal farming households
in Bihar. An almost similar situation occurs in
many other regions of the world, particularly in
the developing countries. The oxbow lakes
(mostly wetlands) are the discarded loops of
meandering rivers, which get disconnected from
the main river. However, in many cases, connection with the main river is established during
rainy season, and the wetland receives water
from the river. The oxbow lakes are called
‘Anua’ in Barak valley region of Assam. At
present, mainly capture fi sheries is practised in
many of these oxbow wetlands. Only about
2,700 ha area, i.e . less than one-third of available area, has been brought under culture with
average productivity of 300–400 kg/ha/year.
These wetlands have been subjected to a number of stress factors like heavy infestation of
aquatic weeds, siltation, encroachment and habitat degradation, leading to considerable decline
in its physical expanse and aquatic biodiversity
(Dey 1981 ; Dey and Kar 1989 ; Govt. of Assam
2006 ; Kar 2007a ; Barman et al. 2008 ).
The policy may seek to bring almost every
oxbow lake into culture-based fi sheries (they
being potential in culture-based fi sheries) by the
year 2020 and produce nearly 9,000 tons of fi sh
production every year. The policy may encourage
community-participated management of the
oxbow lakes by active involvement of local fi shing and farming communities. The leasing policy
may ensure long-term leasing of waterbodies to
facilitate investment and inculcate a sense of
ownership and sustainable production approach.
The leasing priority, lease rent, terms and conditions are to be streamlined and subjected to
periodic review from time to time. Cluster development approach may be adopted to ensure easy
and round the year availability of adequate and
quality fi sh seed. Comprehensive surveys and
mapping should be done for proper planning,
renovation and restoration of oxbow lakes to
make them suitable for profi table fi sh culture.
Further, regular training and technical support are
some of the most essential parts of the management strategy, so as to help the local communities
to manage these ecologically signifi cant resources
sustainably.
30.4 Development of Fisheries in Oxbow Lakes