Which of the following factors are responsible for India's failure to fully exploit the inland fisheries during the last five decades?

A. Silting and pollution of the inland water bodies

B. Deforestation in the catchment areas of the rivers

C. Lack of marketing facilities

Choose the correct answer :

Key Points

• Silting and pollution of the inland water bodies significantly reduce the quality and quantity of water available for fisheries, leading to a decline in fish populations and affecting overall fish production.
• Lack of marketing facilities hampers the ability of fishermen to sell their catch effectively, leading to reduced income and discouraging participation in inland fisheries.
• Deforestation in the catchment areas of the rivers leads to erosion and increased sedimentation in water bodies, further impacting fish habitats and breeding grounds negatively.
• While all three factors are important, the combination of silting and pollution of water bodies and lack of marketing facilities directly affect the fisheries sector, which is why Option 3 (A & C only) is the correct answer.

Additional Information

• Silting
  • Silting is the process by which water bodies become filled with silt and sediment, reducing the depth and flow of the water. This can destroy fish habitats and breeding grounds.
• Pollution
  • Pollution of water bodies can occur due to industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and domestic waste, leading to a decrease in water quality and harming aquatic life.
• Marketing Facilities
  • Effective marketing facilities include infrastructure such as fish markets, cold storage, transportation, and access to markets. Lack of these facilities can hinder the sale and distribution of fish, reducing profitability for fishermen.
• Deforestation
  • Deforestation in catchment areas leads to soil erosion, which increases the sediment load in rivers and water bodies. This can result in habitat degradation for aquatic species.