Promoting Sustainable Watershed Management through Hatchery Fish Seed Production

Promoting Sustainable Watershed Management through Hatchery Fish Seed Production

On August 27, 2023, the School of Fisheries at Centurion University led an impactful watershed management program on hatchery fish seed production at the Paralakhemundi campus. This initiative focused on the role of hatcheries in promoting sustainable aquaculture by producing high-quality fish seeds to ensure healthy fish stocks and enhanced yields.

Participants engaged in an interactive demonstration, witnessing the process of fish seed production firsthand. This hands-on experience provided valuable insights into maintaining species diversity and ecosystem health in local watersheds, aligning with the university’s commitment to location-specific watershed management practices that foster ecological balance and community sustainability.

Watershed Management

Centurion University has implemented various strategies for effective watershed management, aiming to improve water supply, maintain water quality, enhance drainage systems, manage rainwater runoff, and ensure the sustainable use of watershed resources. The university has undertaken several successful initiatives in water conservation, as outlined below.

Wastewater Treatment Facility:

• Sewage Treatment Plant (STP): The treated water is repurposed for various uses, including fisheries, agricultural irrigation, lawn irrigation, and gardening.

Irrigation Management:

• Drip Irrigation: Centurion University uses drip irrigation for agricultural purposes in open-air environments and in low, medium, and high-tech greenhouses. Water conservation is also supported by the establishment of a Hydroponic Unit and Sub-Surface Drainage facilities for herbal gardening.

Centurion University offers courses on hydroponics to further promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Web Link: https://course.cutm.ac.in/courses/hydroponics-technology/

Watershed Management at Paralakhemundi Campus

At the Paralakhemundi campus, sustainable aquatic ecosystem management strategies include water harvesting and conservation efforts through the installation of percolation tanks, storage ponds, check dams, and the use of drip irrigation.

Water Harvesting: Percolation Tanks

Percolation tanks are constructed to collect surface runoff and recharge groundwater. These tanks improve both the quantity and quality of groundwater. Five percolation tanks within the campus capture runoff from roads, nearby mountains, experimental crop fields, and building rooftops.

• Storage Capacity: The five percolation tanks together can store approximately 6900 cubic meters of water and recharge about 4000 cubic meters, contributing to groundwater storage. The stored water supports the surrounding plant life and can be used for fish farming.

Loose Boulders Check Dam

To manage runoff from a nearby mountain, several check dams made of boulders were constructed. These check dams slow the velocity of runoff, redirecting it to percolation and storage tanks. By reducing the slope length, these structures allow more water to percolate into the soil, helping recharge groundwater and mitigating soil erosion and waterlogging.

• Check Dam Dimensions: 10 meters in length, 2 meters in width, and 2 meters in height.

Storage Pond

Storage ponds are designed to collect surplus surface runoff during the monsoon and store it for use during dry periods. The pond is lined with a 500-micron thickness of black LLDPE polyfilm to reduce percolation loss by 60%, ensuring longer-term water availability.

• Storage Capacity: The pond has a capacity of 3000 cubic meters of water, which is used for irrigation, cattle feed, and fish farming. The pond supports the cultivation of carp species like catla, rohu, and mrigal.

Poly-house Strategy: Drip Irrigation Systems

Centurion University employs low-tech, medium-tech, and high-tech poly-house facilities for growing vegetables, flowers, and high-value crops. Drip irrigation systems are used to apply water and nutrients directly to crops at the root level, improving crop yield, water efficiency, and overall irrigation performance.

These initiatives contribute to the university’s ongoing efforts to enhance water conservation and promote sustainable agricultural practices.