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Review Article | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/2641-5143/036
Ningxia People’s Hospital, Yinchuan, China.
*Corresponding Author: Xuechuan Han, Ningxia People’s Hospital, Yinchuan, China.
Citation: Xuechuan Han Yang Fan Yan Yu, 2019, Case Study of Freshwater Prawn Farming at Bandania Village Adjacent to Sukinda Chromite Mine of Osisha: Looking for an Ecofiendly Alternative Livelihood; 2(2), DOI: 10.31579/2641-5143/036
Copyright: © Xuechuan Han. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of The Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Received: 22 February 2019 | Accepted: 05 March 2019 | Published: 18 March 2019
Keywords: freshwater; prawn farming; Bandania; Oshisha; ecofriendly; livelihood
The United Nation Food and Agricultural Organisation has estimated that by 2020 more than 50% of fisheries production will need to come from aquaculture due to human population growth, continuing demand for fish protein and static or declining natural fish harvests (Adrian, 1999). In this context the farming of prawn is a befitting occupation as the crustacean species is not only a delicious mouth watering item for all non-vegetarians, but is also of great demand in the national and international markets due to nutritive value. Prawn can be cultured both in brackishwater and freshwater systems. However, because of disease problem and other environmental issues (like destruction of coastal vegetation, salinisation of land, pollution of waterbodies etc.).
The United Nation Food and Agricultural Organisation has estimated that by 2020 more than 50% of fisheries production will need to come from aquaculture due to human population growth, continuing demand for fish protein and static or declining natural fish harvests (Adrian, 1999). In this context the farming of prawn is a befitting occupation as the crustacean species is not only a delicious mouth watering item for all non-vegetarians, but is also of great demand in the national and international markets due to nutritive value. Prawn can be cultured both in brackishwater and freshwater systems. However, because of disease problem and other environmental issues (like destruction of coastal vegetation, salinisation of land, pollution of waterbodies etc.), the brackish water prawn (Penaeus monodon) farming is gradually loosing its ground to freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) culture (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1. freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)
Even in the coastal and saline belt, freshwater prawn farming is gaining popularity day-by-day due to less risk and low cost involved in the farming process. The technology simple, and depends on freshwater, which may be sourced from springs, lakes, ponds or pools filled with rainwater. Considering this background matrix, a pilot study was initiated at the Bandania village of Dhenkanol district adjacent to Sukinda Chromite Mine through TSRDS with the aim to boost up the economic profile of the villagers. To make the present venture 100% “clean technology”, the feed component of the cultured species was prepared from vegetable matter by replacing the animal ingredients of the commercially available feed.
The present article is thus a case study of freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) culture at Bandania village in the Dhenkanol district of Orissa using specially formulated feed prepared from Porterasia coarctata (commonly known as salt marsh grass). This mangrove associate species is abundantly available in the mudflats of Indian Sundarbans and is noted for its rich protein content (Mitra and Banerjee, 2006). Dried powder of this floral species was mixed with the prawn feed as a source of protein.
An overview of the programme
The Sukinda valley, in the Jajpur district of Orissa produces around 8% chromite ore of the country. Land damage is a major negative impact of any open cast mine, which occurs by excavation/pits, waste disposal sites and other allied operations. There is no exception to this rule in the present case. Hence to upgrade the economic profile and environment of the adjacent village area developmental activities related to livelihood have been opted as the best practice method. The Bandania village of Dhenkanol district is adjacent to Sukinda Chromite Mine, where such a developmental activity has been initiated through culture of freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) with specially formulated feed. The pilot project was initiated as a joint venture of TSRDS and University of Calcutta with the active involvement of villagers after a through hands-on –training to the villagers (Fig. 2).
Fig.2. Imparting training to the local villagers on freshwater prawn culture
In addition to introduction of a new livelihood programme in and around the mining zone, upgradation of aquatic (pond) environment through replacement of animal component of the fish feed with endemic floral ingredient is another aim of the programme.
Two ponds were selected for the present programme in which the culture tenure is six months (May 2017 to October 2017). Stocking density of 4 individual/m2 was maintained in these two ponds (P1 and P2) having an approximate area of 400 m2 each. Out of the two selected ponds, the control pond (P1) was provided with traditional prawn feed and the experimental pond was provided with Porterasia coarctata (Fig. 3) dust to replace the fish and shrimp meal components (Table 1) of the traditional fish feed (commonly available in the market). Information on the economics of freshwater prawn farming is limited and only a few studies have been conducted (Senthilathiban et al., 2001). Hence a cost-benefit analysis of the programme was also conducted at the end of third month to ensure the viability of such approach.
Results and Discussion
The two ponds investigated in the present study exhibited significant variations with respect to production figures and physico-chemical variables (Table 2). The lower nitrate, phosphate and organic carbon level in the experimental pond may be related to the replacement of the animal feed component (trash fish dust) by plant protein obtained from Porterasia coarctata. The salt marsh grass is rich in protein content (18%). The average weight of the prawn in the experimental pond was also higher (25 gm) in comparison to the control pond (19 gm).
Table 2. Hydro-biological parameters of the culture ponds
The cost-benefit analysis (Table 3) showed a higher profit per unit area in the experimental pond in comparison to the control pond.
Table 3. Cost benefit analysis of the project (at the end of 3 months)
Mining is a land-based activity and open cast mining system has high probability to disturb the floristic and faunistic composition of the adjacent landmasses. In context to the present case, degradation of land has been observed since the last two decades. The degradation area has increased from 731.88 ha to 1828.98 ha (record of 1994). Around 7.6 million tonnes of rejected mineral and OB dump material are dumped in the adjacent areas, which are potential sources of chromium in the ecological system. Such activity therefore has high probability to pose an adverse impact on the agricultural production. Hence utilizing the aquatic system in a sustainable and ecofriendly way is a befitting best practice of the area.
The present aquaculture programme has immense ecological and economic relevance due to its connection to the following lanes:
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