76 SEPTEMBER • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG TABLE 1. Key Features of 20th Century Fisheries Aspect Details Dominant System Capture fisheries in rivers, wetlands, and seasonal ponds Control Mechanism Panidari system, abolished in the 1990s Major Contribution Largest IMC seed supplier in India during the 1960s–70s Technology Adoption Minimal; mostly traditional methods Challenges Lack of infrastructure, limited credit, and social barriers TABLE 2. Major Government Initiatives (21st Century) Scheme Key Features Investment (₹Crore) Prime Minister Special Package Pond construction, hatcheries, housing, fish markets 279.55 PMMSY (2020–25) RAS, biofloc units, brood banks, feed mills, cold storages 522.41 State Plan Schemes Training, pond renovation, aerators, wetland development Multiple TABLE 3. Fish Production Trend in Bihar Year Production (Lakh MT) Remarks 2014–15 4.79 Baseline year 2020–21 6.83 Post Blue Revolution impact 2023–24 8.73 High adoption of modern aquaculture TABLE 4. Comparative Snapshot: 20th vs 21st Century Dimension 20th Century 21st Century Dominant Mode Capture fisheries Scientific aquaculture, biofloc, RAS Policy Support Minimal PMMSY, State Schemes Production Moderate 8.73 lakh MT (2023–24) Infrastructure Sparse hatcheries Hatcheries, feed mills, markets Challenges Access and infrastructure issues Transport and marketing gaps TABLE 5. Challenges and Future Prospects Challenges Future Prospects Poor transport and cold chain Develop modern markets and cold storage Wetland degradation Community-based wetland restoration Low financial access Expand the Kisan Credit Card (KCC ) and credit support Climate variability Promote climate-smart aquaculture Despite their immense importance, Bihar’s rivers face multiple environmental challenges that impact fish diversity and productivity. Industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and domestic sewage contribute to rising pollution levels in the Ganga and its tributaries. Siltation and riverbed changes caused by heavy floods and embankment construction disrupt natural breeding grounds. Additionally, climate variability—frequent floods and prolonged dry spells—affects water quality and fish migration patterns. Addressing these challenges requires integrated river basin management, pollution control measures, and promotion of climate-resilient aquaculture practices.
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