Indigenous technical knowledge for pond maintenance, fish health management and fish seed in Tripura, India

Abstract

<span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";="" mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:="" en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="" lang="EN-US">Traditional knowledge base rheostats the livelihood of inhabitants of Tripura. Fishers’ community of the state are precisely innovative and skilful to use traditional knowledge in fish culture and its management. The study attempted at compilation and documentation of indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) related to pond maintenance, fish health management and fish seed. The objective was achieved through primary survey using semi-structure interview method at village level. 160 farmers from 16 villages of four districts shared their knowledge. Study discussed traditional techniques of controlling predatory animals, unwanted fish, snake, snails, and tadpole under pond maintenance theme. Besides, study identified traditional techniques of controlling algal bloom using water hyacinth and cattle urine. Their unique practice for checking water pH was also documented. Under fish health management theme, control of Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) and control of external parasite of fish was two important areas of identification. ITKs to reduce the seed mortality and susceptible measures to mitigate disease contamination during transportation also have been documented.</span>