Floodplain wetlands of India are a critical resource for fish production and other ecosystem services. Beel (inland lake) dependent communities, mostly traditional fishers, face numerous livelihood challenges from both natural and anthropogenic drivers. ICAR-CIFRI has taken up culture fisheries interventions with a holistic perspective of nutritional security, increased production and enhanced income for long term viability. This talk is an outcome of Ganga Basin research under National Mission of Ganga which outlines the social, economic and ecological stressors causing livelihoods vulnerability for the artisanal fishers and Hilsa fisheries and suggests novel ways in which they can be supported.

The talk is presented by Dr. Basanta Das, a renowned scholar with advance agriculture degree from Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, and postdoctoral degrees from FRS Marine Lab, Aberdeen and Bourns College of Engineering - University of California. At present, Dr. Das is serving as the Director at ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, West Bengal. He is also the President of Professional Fisheries Graduates Forum and President of the Orissa Fisheries College Alumni Association. He has been nominated as Chairman/ Member of several Professional, international, National and State level Committees. He also acted as Member, Executive Council, India Science Congress Association for the year 2020-21 and as Member, NASI Council (Biological Sciences), The National Academy of Sciences, India. Dr. Das has been honoured with Fellowship of International Society for Environmental protection (ISEP) and elected as a Fellow, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) in 2019.