Kolkata: Wetlands in West Bengal, once rich in indigenous fish diversity, are facing growing ecological stress from pollution, habitat degradation, indiscriminate fishing and climate change, raising concerns over biodiversity and food security. To address the crisis, ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, with support from the National Fisheries Development Board, launched a pen-based seed rearing programme for indigenous fish species Systomus sarana in the Chamaradaha and Sindrani wetlands of North 24 Parganas. The initiative demonstrated how community-led pen culture can restore native fish populations, support sustainable fisheries and improve wetland conservation through scientific management and ecological awareness campaigns.
