01/09/1987
Considerations in Evolving a Comprehensive Leasing Policy for Inland Waterbodies for Fish Production
Srivastava Uma Kant
Working Papers
Inland fishery resources can be classified in terms of rivers, fresh water ponds, reservoirs and brackish water bodies (ponds for culture, term's farms for capture/filtration, lakes, swamps and estuaries). Some States have made an attempt to license the river stretches to the fishermen for a small fee but in view of the declining catches from the reverie resources, it is doubtful whether reverie fishermen in Gujarat can be made to pay anything. There is, however, a need for conservation of fish breeding and genetic resources in the reverie sector. The question of lease/royalty is important for the other three sub-systems of inland sector i.e. fresh water ponds, reservoirs and brackish water water-bodies. This paper is designed to highlight some of the critical elements in decision-making about the leasing of these water-bodies. The paper makes recommendations for the lease duration, rent and institutional support for each of the inland fishery sub-systems.