Freshwater mollusc of northeast India and need for developing a sustainable farming practises for potential inclusion as a component of blue revolution
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The phylum Mollusca are widely diverse group which are spread across freshwater and marine environment. However, the freshwater mollusc are lesser known. Freshwater mollusc such as snails and bivalves are not only a delicacy in the north-eastern states of India but also has been used in traditional medicine. Till date, huge data are available for the food value and health benefit of marine gastropod and bivalves which has economic importance and has export potential. But the north eastern region of India is not a ware of those marine species which has scientific information. Therefore, need has been arisen to understand the locally available underutilized and underrepresented freshwater mollusc species of Manipur. This study aims to assess the current use of edible freshwater molluscan resources (such as gastropods and bivalves) and the potential for value-adding the molluscan fisheries in Manipur, India. A total number of 1500 mollusc consumer and 31 state government personals were interviewed. The consumer consists of 56.66% female and 43.33% male population. Majority (47.13%) of the respondents belong the annual income group of <Rs. 1 Lakh/ annum (USD 1,200 approx.) and majority (40%) of the respondents have completed their higher secondary education. The three edible varieties of snails that is Brotiacostula (Laitharoi), Cipangopalu dinalecythis (Labuktharoi) and Filopaludina bengalensis (Tharoiningkhabi) are consumed by all the respondents. However, only 97% of the respondents eat freshwater mussel, Lamellidens marginalis locally known as kongreng. The freshwater mollusc has also been reported to use in traditional medicine for chicken pox recovery and strengthening of stomach. Consumers have suggested for value addition potential such as canning and pickling. Most of the respondents from Government Departments indicated there was limited scope for funding new species aquaculture development in Manipur and India at the larger picture. This study also established the fact the freshwater snails and mussels are a delicacy for this region of northeast India. It is very much necessary to establish a sustainable supply through research and development to enhance the livelihood of the shellfish harvester of Manipur, India. Otherwise, continuous harvest from the wild could be a question to the sustainability in the long-term fisheries.
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4400564450