Ecological Association and Diversity of Self-Recruiting Wild Fish Species in Aquacrop Systems of Northeastern Bihar, India
SUDAY PRASAD
*
Veer Kunwar Sing College of Agriculture, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Dumraon - 802136, Bihar, India.
PARAS NATH
Veer Kunwar Sing College of Agriculture, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Dumraon - 802136, Bihar, India.
ANIL KUMAR
Bhola Paswan Shastri Agricultural College, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Purnea- 854302 Bihar, India.
G. L. CHOUDHARY
Agriculture Research Station, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Navgaon, Alwar, Rajasthan -301025, India.
ANUPAM KUMARI
Bhola Paswan Shastri Agricultural College, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Purnea- 854302 Bihar, India.
MATCHA U. KUMAR
Bhola Paswan Shastri Agricultural College, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Purnea- 854302 Bihar, India.
MANI BHUSAN
Veer Kunwar Sing College of Agriculture, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Dumraon - 802136, Bihar, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In recent times, aquaculture production in northeastern Bihar has been dominated by the cultivation of Makhana (Euryale ferox) and Singhara (Trapa natans). Consequently, fish has become a strategically significant commodity. The majority of wetlands supporting Makhana and Singhara cultivation provide a natural habitat, feeding grounds, and breeding environments for various shellfish and finfish species, particularly during the monsoon season. Exploratory surveys were conducted in the landlocked aquatic systems of the Purnea district located in the northeastern Bihar, to document the dispersal and abundance of self-recruiting finfish and shellfish diversity across different aquatic fields, including rice fields, Makhana crops, and Singhara crops. The local fish market survey was considered to have a solid framework, supported by direct observations, and specific inventories were identified through personal interviews and focus group discussions. The association between aquacrops and fish population diversity was studied across these three aquatic farming systems from January 2021 to December 2022. Economically and medicinally important fish and shellfish species were identified within Makhana and Singhara pond ecosystems, as well as rice fields. These included Pila globosa, Pila virens, Bellamya bengalensis, Lamellidens species, and Parreysia favidens. Additionally, small-to medium-sized freshwater Macrobrachium prawn species such as M. gandaki, M. tiwari, and M. lamerrei were observed. Among true fishes, Clarias magur, Heteropneustes fossilis, and Channa species were the predominant catches. Makhana (Euryale ferox) and Singhara (Trapa natans) crops supported a rich gastropod fauna and demonstrated a strong ecological association with these aquatic plant species. The results provide critical insights into the ecological and economic roles of self-recruiting species (SRS) in traditional aquacrop systems, such as Makhana and Singhara, in northeastern Bihar. The documented decline in species due to pesticide use highlights the urgent need for eco-friendly agricultural policies.
Keywords: Euryale ferox, Trapa natans, shellfish, diversity, aquaculture