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ICAR-CIFRI observed World Wetland Day 2025 for protecting wetlands

4^th February, 2025
Wetlands play an important role in providing many ecosystem services including water purification, biodiversity conservation, fish production, and water supply, highlighting its role in ecological balance, supporting life and improve livelihood. Due to anthropogenic activities, climate change and other factors, the environmental condition of many wetlands of India are increasingly vulnerable. It is essential to put an effort to restore and conserve the ecosystem of this vital ecosystem with participation of the stakeholders at ground level like fishers associated with the wetland. ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Resources Institute conducted a field day programme with the theme of the year 2025 i.e. “Protecting wetlands for our common future” on the occasion of the World Wetland Day 2025 celebration on 2nd February 2025 at Kulia beel, Nadia, West Bengal to sensitize the fishing community of wetland. The programme was held in association with the Saguna Union Fishermen Cooperative Society, Kantaganj, Nadia. During the programme,

Dr. Ranjan K. Manna, Principal Scientist and Head, Reservoir and Wetland Division, ICAR-CIFRI, described different activities of ICAR-CIFRI under the leadership of the director, Dr. Basanta K. Das. He also highlighted the importance and role of all different trophic levels of wetlands for different ecosystem services and emphasized the needs of important factors like river connectivity, aquatic macrophytes, etc for the conservation of precious biodiversity of wetlands and urged the fishers to actively participate for the conservation and restoration of wetland to ensure the long-term sustainability of fish production. Mr. Pankaj Sarkar, FEO FFDA, Nadia, emphasized the role of collaborative effort between State Fisheries Department, Research Institute and fish farmers for protecting the wetland ecology and fisheries. He also explained various Govt. development schemes which can render support to the wetland fishers. Mr. Pandab Kumar Das, Chairman, and Mr. Raju Das, Secretary of the Saguna Union Fishermen Cooperative Society, Kantaganj, Nadia, discussed various issues and challenges especially anthropogenic pollution they face for managing wetland fisheries. Dr. Lianthuamluaia, Senior Scientist and Dr. Pritijyoti Majhi, Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI, also sensitized the farmers on sustainable fish production management strategies and the available technologies for development of wetland fisheries. The fishers actively participated in the Scientist-Farmers Interaction session during the programme. During the interaction session,

several issues related to the aquatic environment and fisheries management of wetland, along with potential mitigation measures, were discussed. Major problem identified were discharge of untreated sewage of Gayeshpur Municipality leading to hyper-eutrophication by algae causing disappearance of most of the Small Indigenous Fishes like Gudusia chapra, Nandus nandus, etc. The programme was attended by more than 100 fishers of the wetland belonging to Saguna Union Fisherman Cooperative Society, Kantaganj, Nadia. Vote of Thanks was delivered by Mr. Subrata Das, Technical Officer, ICAR-CIFRI. A seven-day training programme on "Inland Fisheries Management" was successfully conducted for 30 fish farmers from Purnia, Bihar, from January 29th to February 4th, 2025. Sponsored by the State Fisheries Department, the programme aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of rural fish farming communities, equipping them with best practices for sustainable fisheries management.

The training programme was inaugurated by Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, who emphasized the importance of capacity-building in fisheries management. He encouraged participating fish farmers to implement the knowledge gained to achieve sustainable livelihoods, optimize production, and maximize profitability. The programme was designed to bridge the gaps in knowledge, skills, and attitudes among farmers, aligning with the broader vision of doubling farmers' income.
The training covered a comprehensive range of topics, including ecology and fisheries of inland open waters, sediment and water chemistry, pond management, natural fish food organisms and their significance, aquaculture species suitable for Bihar, enclosure culture, ornamental fisheries, fish feed management, disease control, economic evaluation of aquaculture operations, and the use of drone technology for farm monitoring and management.

Participants were given hands-on exposure through practical sessions at the Institute’s ornamental hatchery units and feed mill. These sessions focused on crucial aspects such as water quality analysis, preparation of fish feed using locally available ingredients, and identification of fish pathogens along with appropriate remedial measures. In addition, participants were provided with field visits to the East Kolkata Wetlands, ornamental fish market, Ornamental Fish Village, and Kulia Wetland, offering them valuable real-world insights into fisheries and aquaculture practices. They also had the opportunity to visit the ICAR-CIFE Kolkata Regional Centre.
The feedback session revealed high levels of satisfaction among the trainees, who acknowledged a significant enhancement in their knowledge. They were encouraged to apply their newly acquired skills to improve productivity on their farms and share their expertise with fellow fishers and farmers, contributing to the overall development of the fisheries sector.
The training programme was meticulously organized under the guidance of Dr. B.K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI. The coordination was led by Dr. Aparna Roy, Senior Scientist, and Dr. Gunjan Karnatak, Senior Scientist, with technical support from Mr. Sujit Choudhury (CTO), Mr. Manabendra Roy (TO), Dr. Avishek Saha (STA), and Ms. Sadrupa Bhowmik (STA).