SUNDARBANS, 30 June 2021: The ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha joins hands with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and a local NGO i.e., Bali Nature Life Society as technical partner for the novel initiative for developing livelihood through farmers’ collective initiated at Kumirmari, Gosaba, South 24 Pargana, Sundarbans, West Bengal recently.
The Discovery Inc. has been providing the funding support for the work. The Sundarbans, a vast forest and estuarine region and considered as one of the natural wonders of the world has now been declared as a Ramsar Site too. The Mangrove Forest covers an area of about 10,000 Sq. Km. in India and 6,000 Sq. Km. in Bangladesh.
The farming is the main source of livelihood of the people living in the Delta; however, the soil’s salinity level does not allow intensive cultivation of the agricultural crops. This leads the people to depend on river, forest and non-timber forest products (crab collection, honey collection, fish farming, etc.) to earn livelihood. At times they have to put their lives at risk and fall prey to Royal Bengal Tiger and also Crocodiles.
In his address, Dr S K Swain, Director, ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar outlined about the initiation of scientific fish farming in freshwater ponds in April, 2021 to provide an alternative source of income for the community who have been struggling for their livelihoods.
He emphasized that the Project would enhance pond productivity through better management practices for fish production; build capacities of 50 women on fish seed rearing, grow out culture and development of carp broodstock in the island.
The adopted ponds were stocked with 15 Kg Indian Major Carp Advance Fingerings and beneficiaries are trained on post-stocking management measures.
The Application of lime and pellet feed was also demonstrated by a team of Institutes’ Scientists. The fish attained an average growth of about 55 to 65 Gms in two Months.
A portable FRP Carp Hatchery is being installed in order to create a self-sufficiency of fish seed production.
The initiative intends to benefit 50 Scheduled Caste Women representing 5 Self-Help Groups namely - Annadata, Bagna,Golap ,Priyajan and Shristi.
