Wastewater-Fed Aquaculture in East Kolkata Wetlands: State of the Art and Measures to Protect Biodiversity

Abstract

East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW) have been recognized internationally as an important Ramsar Site with its long history of metamorphosis from saltwater area to freshwater aquaculture system fed with wastewater. It has been rendering livelihood opportunity to a large number of people in and around Kolkata through production of cheap protein source of food fish. This large-scale wetland system is utilized for wastewater treatment cum fish farming. The chapter attempts to focus important facts relating to wastewater-fed aquaculture, along with unique features that characterize such wetlands sustainable over the times. Nevertheless, this wetland system is now facing concerns which need to be resolved for benefits of fish farmers and fish consumer as well. Some measures have been addressed for sustainable management of the wetland system that would provide ecosystem service to cater the benefit of protein food production for present and future generations.