International projects
Gondwana research
Granulites
Estuarine management
Paleomagnetism
Bio-geo chemical
Coastal studies
A MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE ASHTAMUDI ESTUARY, KOLLAM, INDIA

 

The shores of Ashtamudi Estuary are home to nearly one million people and decisions made concerning the estuary's resources and its sustainable management will be significantly affect their future, be it poverty, sustainable or prosperity

Considering the deteriorating conditions of the Ashtamudi estuary and the potentially far-reaching implications of the catastrophic degradation, the ASR Ltd., Hamilton and CESS with financial assistance from the Asia Development Assistance Facility of the New Zealand Government, completed a study which aims at the development of a Management Plan for sustainable management of the estuary

The study, the largest yet undertaken for estuarine Management Planning in India completed with the joint efforts of the large technical and management team from ASR, CESS, South Indian Fishermen's Federation (SIFFS), University of Waikato, Centre for Development Studies (CDS) and Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT), integrating the social, economic, fisheries, physical, environmental, chemical and planning aspects, developed very good information system on the estuary

 

Initiatives Conservation Zone Development Zone Ashtamudi Management Authority

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initiatives

The sustainability of the estuary rests on the quality of water, hence pollution sources be identified and phased out to improve sanitation, industrial growth corridors and to reduce urban waste

Mangrove replanting be encouraged around the banks, both for shore protection and ecosystem development

Reclamation be halted
Village-level sand mining be continued, up to a sustainable volume, but not too close to the banks

 Set aside narrow navigation routes, where nets are not to be allowed Upgrade the Neendakara port with sanitation facilities, boat fuelling area and better  drainage systems

Continue coir retting, but phase out discharge of waste pith back to the water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conservation Zone

Marine Bioreserve, to sustain inland fishing; the reserve will be unique in India

 Nature conservation park for small mammals and birds on an uninhabited island within       the marine reserve

Mangrove conservation area at the entrance to the Kallada River

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Development Zone   

Encouragement of well-managed aquaculture

Increased communication and training amongst inland fishers and aquaculturalists ·

Development of the Marine Bioreserve

Exploration of ways to enhance and manage fish species of commercial value to open up new opportunities

Enforced limits on net sizes to allow juveniles to flourish and grow

Introduction of modern fish processing and storage technologies to increase quality and market value

Encouragement of sales by fishermen through a central facility or appropriate marketing facility

Development of inland fish landing centres

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ashtamudi Management Authority


With the benefit of the detailed studies and consultation, the Plan has been able to identify initiatives that accrue simultaneous benefits to both fisheries and tourism. The Plan proposes that an "Ashtamudi Management Authority" is needed to manage the estuary, in essence creating the "Panchayat for the water". This enables the full benefits of the plan to reach the people of the Ashtamudi and to ensure sustainability. Above all, such an Authority could manage the diverse and unusual requirements for the waterbody. It is proposed that the Ashtamudi Management Authority (AMA) would be governed by a Board of Directors drawn from across the community.