Journal of Environment and Sociobiology

N. C. Nandi ¹, S. K. Pramanik ¹, A. K. Das ¹, Anirudha Dey ¹, Mousumi Roy ²

Affiliations
1 Social Environmental and Biological Association, Kolkata, IN
2 KBBN College, Behala, Kolkata, IN

Abstract

Wetland economics more precisely fish production data of a freshwater beel, viz., Bhomra beel, an oxbow lake of 99.28 water area in Nadia district of West Bengal is herein communicated. Bhomra Fishermen Cooperative Society Ltd. (BFCS), established in 1957, is the lease holder of this beel which presently provides livelihood to 313 fishermen families. Fish production data reveal that the productions of both carp and weed fish varieties (amacha) vary from year to year in this beel. In 2001-2002 table fish production was 42,485 kg in terms of quantity and Rs. 12,18,221 in terms of value along with weed fish of 7,848 kg in quantity and Rs. 2,35,494 in value, while the production of table fish in 2010-2011 was 27,300 kg in quantity and Rs. 16,97,200 in value along with weed fish of 5,226 kg in quantity and Rs. 3,13,260 in value. Ten years' average annual overall fish production was 46,733.1 kg during 1991-2000 as per earlier records and 39,926.3 kg during 2001-2010 (in the present study), indicating a decline in production. It has also been revealed that fishermen engaged in catching weed fish species get almost the entire sale proceeds from the society since they are to pay Rs. 30 per month for catching amacha. However, conflicting issues over lifting of beel water for irrigation purpose hampering harvesting of fish during summer as well as local disturbances and threats need to be mitigated for better production achievement and sustainable utilization of wetland resource base.

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N. C. Nandi ¹, S. K. Pramanik ¹, A. K. Das ¹, Anirudha Dey ¹, Mousumi Roy ¹

Affiliations
1 Social Environmental and Biological Association, Kolkata, IN

Abstract

Wetland economics and especially fish production data of a freshwater beel, viz., Bhomra beel in Nadia district of West Bengal is communicated. Fish production data reveal that the productions of both carp and weed fish varieties (amacha) vary from year to year. In 2001-2002 table fish production was 42,485 kg in terms of quantity and ₹ 12,18,221/- in terms of value along with weed fish of 7,848 kg in quantity and ₹ 2,35,494/- in value, while in 2010-2011, table fish production was 27,300 kg in quantity and ₹ 16,97,200/- in value along with weed fish of 5,226 kg in quantity and ₹ 3,13,260/- in value. Ten years' average annual overall fish production was 46,733.1 kg during 1991-2000 as per earlier records and 39,926.3 kg during 2001-2010 (in the present study), indicating a decline in production. It has also been revealed that fishermen engaged in catching weed fish species get almost the entire sale proceeds from the society since they are to pay ₹ 30/- per month for catching amacha.

Keywords

Wetland Economics, Fish Production, Bhomra Beel, West Bengal.

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N. C. Nandi ¹, A. K. Das ¹, S. K. Raut ², A. Choudhury ³

Affiliations
1 Social Environmental and Biological Association, Kolkata, IN
2 Department of Zoology, Calcutta University, 35, B. C. Road, Kolkata–700 019, IN
3 S. D. Marine Biological Research Institute, Sagar Island, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

While consulting our old files and records we came across several black and white photomicrographs of some ciliates (Figs. 1-13) along with a brief unpublished write up on their taxonomy. This write up shows and reminds us that these ciliates were recovered from the gut contents of the echiurid worm (Phylum Echiura), Analassorhynchus branchiorhynchus (Annandale and Kemp) which was collected from the mudflats of Sagar Islands, South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal in 1970.

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A. K. Das

Abstract

The convension of Biological Diversity was finalised in Nairobi in May, 1992, signed by the Governments of 156 countries at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Jeneiro on 5th June, 1992 and came into force on 29th December, 1993. Since then, the term "biodiversity" which is the contracted form of biological diversity has come to lime light and become very popular. This term is frequently used by people of different disciplines and sectors, and more particularly environmentalists for various purposes. This is because people are now more or less aware that conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of its components are of critical importance for meeting food, shelter, health and various other needs of the growing global population. Realising this need Governments of several nations including India have framed relevant legislations. Irrespective of all these, biodiversity concept is not clear to most of the people. They often misunderstand and misinterpret it as species diversity, being unaware of its broad spectrum of genetic and ecological (ecosystem) diversity.

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A. K. Das

Abstract

Myxosporeans are 'protozoan' parasites belonging to class Myxosporea and phylum Myxozoa according to the recent classification. These parasites are distributed world-wide with around 1200 species, infect skin, gills muscles, kidney, brain and skeletal system of fishes and cause a disease known as myxoporidiosis. This disease is prevalent in fishes of pisciculture ponds in India and many parts of Asia.

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A. K. Das ¹

Affiliations
1 Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata-700 053, IN

Abstract

Ecotoxicology is an interdisciplinary field of study, intending to integrate both ecological and toxicological effects of pollutants and contaminants on living organisms, populations and communities within the defined ecosystems. Ecotoxicological studies on Indian ecosystems are fragmentary and scattered although this country is very rich in ecodiversity and biodiversity. Based on major habitat classification as well as on geographical and geological features 10 ecosystems are recognised in India. These are forests (16 types), grasslands (5 types), deserts (3 types), wetlands (10 types), mangroves, coral reefs, marine, mountains, islands and ocean. However, for the convenience of assessing ecotoxicological impacts, Indian ecosystems are grouped under two broad categories, viz., aquatic and terrestrial. For assessing ecotoxicological impacts on aquatic ecosystems of this country those of the river Ganga were analysed, as an example, with additional dealings on marine ecosystems. Prime sources of pollutants and toxicants on these ecosystems, viz., industrial emissions, municipal effluents and agricultural run off and their impacts on aquatic communities are discussed. Ecotoxicological impacts on terrestrial ecosystems are also dealt with in similar fashion with special reference to high altitude ecosystems. Need for future research on this aspect is highlighted in the concluding remarks of this communication.

Keywords

Ecotoxicology, Ecosystem, Pollutants, Contaminants, Toxicants.

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