TODAY -

Assessment of cage culture and its effect on Maphou Reservoir, Manipur

Kamei Ringjonmeilu / P Bhattacharjee / Y Bedajit / Ch Basudha / J Parhi / P Pal / MK Datta *



Among the top 5 States in terms of fish consumption, Manipur stamds in 3rd place with an annual consumption rate of 14.1 kg per capita per year. However, the State’s production is about 32,000 tonnes a year-1 against the requirement of 52,000 tonnes year-1 (Anon. 2020).

In order to make the State self-sufficient in terms of production, proper management and developmental activities should be considered. And cage culture in the Maphou reservoir which is situated on the Thoubal river, Manipur, can be considered as one of the initiatives as many of the villagers who are residing on the periphery of the reservoir lost their livelihoods due to damming.

Since, cage culture is suitable for a wide range of open freshwater ecosystems especially reservoirs and lakes, to augment the production of the region as well as to uplift the livelihood. But there is a gap in knowledge about the production potential of the reservoir and the effect on cage culture on its environment. It is essential to investigate the physico-chemical characteristics and productivity of the reservoirs.

Therefore, the present work was undertaken by Kamei Ringjonmeilu, Post Graduate Scholar under the Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, Lembucherra, Tripura, Central Agricultural University, Imphal to study the variation of the different water quality parameters and the primary productivity of the cages installed in the Maphou reservoir was estimated.

It was observed that the cage culture carried out in the reservoir was a semi-intensive type of manage- ment. Fish were not stocked at the optimum stocking density and feeding was done in a sustenance way. Species stocked in the cages were Silver carp, Grass carp, Tilapia, Jayanti Rohu, Pangasius, and Vietnam koi. Water quality parameters showed spatiotemporal variation during the study period.

The water's temperature ranged from 17.97°C to 26.10°C, with April recording the highest temperature and January recording the lowest. The pH varied from 7.15 to 9.24, with March being the highest value and December being the lowest. The maximum and minimum values of transparency were recorded in the months of November and April, respectively, and ranged from 139.36 to 333.62 cm.

TDS value varies from 53.47 to 106.00 mg l-1 with November recording the lowest value and March posting the highest. Total alkalinity ranges from 59.33 to 71.33 mg l-1, and EC values vary from 107.20 to 206.00 µS cm-1. Both EC and total alkalinity were determined to be at their lowest and highest levels in the months of November and March respectively.

The total hardness value ranged from 63.93 to 82.00 mg l-1, with November obtaining the highest value and April documenting the lowest. The free CO2 value ranged from 0 to 4.26 mgl-1 and the highest was found in the months of November and December and absent in March and April. The maximum and minimum concen- trations of phosphate were obtained in February and January respectively and varied from 0.02 to 0.19 mg l-1.

The observed ammonia value range from 0.01 to 0.12 mg l-1 highest in January and lowest in Decem- ber. The nitrate concentration ranged from 0.04 to 0.14 mg l-1 with the highest in November and April and the lowest in December.

The highest nitrite concentration was recorded in April and the lowest in December with a range of 0.02 to 0.10 mg l-1. DO concentration was obtained highest in the month of November and lowest in January with a range of 5.93 to 11.47 mg l-1. The maximum BOD concentration was observed in the months of April and the minimum in November with a range of 0.20 to 2.60 mg l-1.

Among the water quality parameters measured ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, BOD and phosphate were observed to be higher in the cage area than in intermediate and control while DO was considerably low in the cage area than in intermediate and control but it was within the permissible limit.

A positive correlation was observed between pH and water temperature, water temperature and DO, DO and pH, hardness and EC, hardness and TDS, alkalinity and TDS, DO and transparency, and alkalinity and EC and EC and TDS. Whereas between TDS and transparency, EC and Transparency, free CO2 and BOD, free CO2 and hardness and free CO2 and pH showed a negative correlation.

Primary productivity (GPP, NPP and Chl-a) was also measured for both the sites (1 and 2) and showed variation in GPP, NPP and Chl-a in terms of months as well as distance wise. GPP was higher in the month of March and lowest in January and NPP was higher in the month of February and lowest in March.

Both GPP and NPP was higher at the cage area than the intermediate and control. Likewise, Chl-a was higher in the month of April and lowest in November and Control was higher than cage and intermediate. A total of 40 phytoplankton and 6 zooplankton genera have been identified during the study periods and Ceratiaceae was dominant in both sites (1 and 2).

CCA resulted that in the months of November, December and January, water quality parameters like nitrite, nitrate and free carbon had an influence on the population of plankton group Harpacti-coida, Gonatozy-gonaceae, Basi-llariaeae, Desmidia-ceae, Closteriaceae and Fragilariaceae. Whereas in February, phosphate, ammonia, and transparency were the effective factors for the variation in the population of Naviculaceae, Dinobryaceae and Zegne- mataceae.

pH, hardness, DO, EC and alkalinity were the factors that affect the distribution of Pleuro-sigmataceae, Catenu-laceae, Scenedes-mus, Branchioni-deae and Nostocaceae in the month of March and in April, water temperature and chlorophyll-a were the factors that influence the 98 variation of Asplan-chnidaea, Sphaerocystida- ceae, Cope-pod nauplii and Microcoleaceae.

In general, from the present study, we can conclude that few of the water qualityparameters assessed show a slight increase in the cage area compared to theadjacent area of the reservoir. However, the values ranged within the safe or permissible limits. Water quality parameters are an important factor that has to be considered solely for the purpose of management and sustainable utilization of a waterbody.

The quality of water varies between various water bodies as well as among various regions within a single water body. The long-term spatio-temporal dynamics ofvarious surface water body types and their potential driving forces over vast distances remain largely unknown.

Therefore, appropriate and in-depth biological investigations on the planktonic groups must be conducted in the future in order to understand the impact of water quality parameters on the dispersion of the planktonic groups. Since the cages installed in the studied area were on a small scale, the effect on the environment was not profoundly sound.

This could be due to the overall low input interventions in the cage functioning. The level of management in the studied cageswere semi-intensive types of management as the fish feed was used in subsistence amount as well as the stocking density of fish were below the optimum level.

Therefore, there is a scope for extension of cage culture practices to increase regional productivity as well as the standard of living for those living close to the reservoir's perimeter. Production can be increased by maintaining optimum stocking density with intensive management.

However, it is essential to regularly evaluate the water quality parameters so that the producer can modify management according to environmental factors, such as reducing fish density or altering feeding rates, to minimize or prevent deterioration of water quality so as to obtain sustainable utilization of the resource.


For further details contact
Public Relations & Media Management Cell,
CAU, Imphal.
Email: [email protected]


* Kamei Ringjonmeilu / P Bhattacharjee / Y Bedajit / Ch Basudha / J Parhi / P Pal / MK Datta wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writers are from
College of Fisheries,
Lembucherra, Tripura,
Central Agricultural University,
Imphal
ICAR NEH region,
Lamphelpat, Manipur
This article was webcasted on July 20 2024.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 2 : Ooba Video
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Jianreilung, Chingamba, Masounii : eMing
  • How Jessami conservation of Nongin
  • Shija Hospitals turns 40
  • COVID-19: Update 06 July 2025 : Manipur
  • The Indomitable Young Souls :: Poem
  • Growing network of drug dealers in country
  • Politics of SoO pact since 2008
  • 31st Governor Cup Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • PM welcome to Manipur: Feel the reality
  • Kainkhol wins best Social Message Film Award
  • Distortion of facts: Manipur sports movement
  • Govt services reach Manipur's tribal villages
  • 134th Durand Cup Trophies Flag Off
  • COVID-19: Update 05 July 2025 : Manipur
  • How to take care of oily skin in monsoon
  • First-Ever Tripura Esports Championship
  • Konung Kang Chingba #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur Iskcon's 25th Ratha Yatra 2025
  • Native Threshing machine made for farmers
  • COVID-19: Update 04 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Riso Ejang: Youth-led Transformation
  • Include males too in addressing HPV
  • Whispers from the past :: Poem
  • LPU opens permanent outreach centre
  • Raj Bhavan moving on the right track
  • Speculations over PM Modi's visit to state
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #7
  • Make Yourself Visible to Opportunity
  • Orange bowl: tradition with ecological wisdom
  • 10 ways to keep a kitchen garden disease free
  • Between PR, military mandates & AFSPA
  • Allocation fund for MLALAD Fund during PR
  • Denounces Killing of KNA Deputy C-in-C
  • COVID-19: Update 03 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Cases of fake Aadhaar cards
  • Sincere dealing must for stricter Aadhaar
  • Archaeology: Culture of Manipur : Booklet
  • Wanna be a singer? Get Botox
  • A Central institute in Manipur
  • Nagging in the name of love
  • COVID-19: Update 02 July 2025 : Manipur
  • 'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency
  • Social Stigma :: Poem
  • Inking a peace pact: Why, how: SoO quagmire
  • Van Mahotsav under shadow of declining forest
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • /li>
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025