South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People
(Fature Image: Telangana fishermen fishing downstream Srisailam project after closing of dam gates in Aug 2024. Source: Social Media)
On the occasion of World Fisheries Day 2024 which is celebrated on November 21 annually, we compile top ten positive developments during the last one year on the issues of fish, fisheries and fisherfolks from India.
Continue reading “World Fisheries Day 2024: Top Ten Positive Fisheries Reports from India”
MoEF Committee Rejects the Adani Application and asks to apply afresh for Warasgaon-Warangi Project!
In a respite to forest dwelling communities, fragile biodiversity and community conservation areas in the Western Ghats, Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union MoEF (Ministry of Environment and Forests) rejected Adani Energy’s application for 1500 MW Warasgaon-Warangi Pump Storage Project. The committee has asked the proponent to apply afresh for Stage I Clearance, adding several conditions to assessment.
Continue reading “MoEF Committee Rejects the Adani Application and asks to apply afresh for Warasgaon-Warangi Project!”Adani Energy proposes to build two large dams in the heart of Western Ghats as a part of Warangi-Warasgaon Pumped Storage Project. One of the dams will be located in Tekpowale Village, about 65 kms from Pune.
I actually could not believe my eyes when I read the name Tekpowale.
Continue reading “Adani Pump Storage Dams: Defiling sacred pools and fish sanctuaries in the Western Ghats”Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) is a premier institute under the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India. It is one of the only government institutes researching the status of inland fisheries and recommending steps to improve fisheries and well-being of dependent population. Founded in 1947, an expert from CIFRI sits on the Expert Appraisal Committee, (EAC) on River Valley Projects of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF and CC), recommending environmental clearances to dam projects across the country. This expert is supposed to look at impacts on fish diversity, fisheries and dependent population and judge whether the project is feasible or not based on its impact and possible mitigation measures.
Continue reading “Clueless about fish passes: CIFRI’s Review of fish pass research in India”(Fish in large number killed in Krishna river in Sangli in March 2023 due to untreated industrial effluents discharge. Image Source: ToI)
On occasion of World Fisheries Day 2023, incidents of mass fish death in rivers and water bodies in India during past one year are compiled here. The report highlights how untreated effluents from industrial and domestic sources with non-existent regulation have been primarily responsible for most of the en masse fish kill incidents across the country. In the first part of the series, we have covered the positive developments related to fish, fisherfolks and fisheries. And in the second part, we have covered the ongoing resistance and struggles of Indian fishers against developmental projects endangering their survival and livelihoods.
Continue reading “WFD 2023: Untreated Effluents with Non-existent Regulation Killing Inland Fish En-Masse”(Feature Image: A Konda Reddi tribe rowing a Dhone, a traditional boat, in the Godavari near the Papikonda hills in Alluri Sitarama Raju district. Photo Credit: T. Appala Naidu/ The Hindu)
On occasion of World Fisheries Days 2023, this compilation of important developments from 2023 highlighting the ongoing resistance and struggles of inland as well as coastal fisherfolks in India whose lives and livelihoods have been significantly affected by destructive developmental projects including dams & hydro power projects, increasing pollution and encroachments of water bodies, mechanized mining of sand from rivers & coastal areas, unsustainable fishing and invasive fish species.
The compilation first lists ten most remarkable developments on the issue and then covers the other relevant incidents in section wise manner. In the first part of the series we have highlighted ten positive stories on river fish and fisherfolks of India. The third part has covered the mass fish death incidents in India that have occurred during past one year.
Continue reading “World Fisheries Day 2023: Resistance and Struggles of Fisherfolks”(Feature Image:- Fishermen move around the big lake in Jawaharlalpuram in Madurai to increase the catch. M. PALANI KUMAR Photo/PARI)
World Fisheries Day (WFD) is celebrated annually on November 21 to highlight the importance of sustainable fisheries management and to draw attention to the crucial role of small-scale fishers in ensuring food security and livelihoods for millions around the world. The theme for World Fisheries Day 2023 is “Build enabling policy environments for small-scale artisanal fisheries.” This theme emphasizes the crucial role of small-scale fishers in sustainable fisheries management. Small-scale fishers, who often employ traditional and low-impact fishing methods, contribute significantly to local food security and livelihoods. They also possess valuable knowledge and expertise in managing marine resources sustainably. By supporting small-scale fishers and enabling their participation in policymaking processes, we can promote more equitable and sustainable fisheries management practices. https://www.oliveboard.in/blog/world-fisheries-day-2023/ (20 Nov. 2023)
Marking the WFD 2023 while highlighting the significance of fresh water fish species, inland fisherfolks and fisheries sector in general, SANDRP here presents ten positive reports on fish, fisherfolks and fisheries from India in 2023. Also see the second part of the compilation highlighting ongoing resistance of fisherfolks in India and third part covering mess fish kill incident during past one year in the country.
Continue reading “World Fisheries Day 2023: Ten Positive Reports from India: Fish, Fisherfolks & Fisheries”When I first heard about a beautiful fish sanctuary right off the highway on Vaitarna river in Maharashtra, I was skeptical. Vaitarna river, despite flowing through dense Western Ghats forests, is highly polluted and encroached upon as it enters the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Vaitarna river stretch off a highway is not the most idyllic of spots for a thriving fish sanctuary. But I was spectacularly wrong.
Continue reading “Vaitarna’s Community-Conserved Tilase Fish Sanctuary needs protection”Guest Article: Steve Lockett, Mahseer Trust
(Above: Teesta-Mahananda Link Canal, part of a water-use strategy that seems broken. Copyright: Adrian Pinder, Mahseer Trust)
Rivers change course, it is part of their being. A river changing course can bring unexpected or unwanted ramifications. Sometimes they can be quite devastating. But when they come as a result of deliberate actions to alter the river’s course how can we expect people, whole communities or wildlife to cope?
Continue reading “Changing Course: Teesta Mahananda Rivers in North Bengal”(Feature image: Fish species caught in small Ramganga stream in Pauri Garhwal. Bhim Singh Rawat/SANDRP)
On the occasion of World Fisheries Day (WFD) 2022, this report by SANDRP tracks developments related to aquatic biodiversity in India over the last year. The first, second, third and fourth parts of the WFD 2022 reports covered positive reports on rivers’ fish and fishermen; mass fish deaths in rivers and emerging threats; mass fish kills in lakes, ponds in the country and issues concerning rights & livelihoods of inland & coastal fishers reported during the past one year.
Continue reading “WFD 2022: Protect Aquatic Biodiversity for Fish to prosper“
SANDRP 