Eco-restoration going on in river basin.

Adan river basin is situated in the North Eastern Godavari basin in Central India. Godavari basin is largest and poorly explored basin of the Peninsular India. Habitat destruction spread of invasive species and destructive fishing techniques leading to depletion of fish fauna. Poor implementation of acts and policies related to fishing communities and labours leading to deprivation and discrimination. As a result, traditional fishing communities and other wetland dependent people facing multiple problems like resource unavailability, poverty etc. In addition, fish fauna of this area is depleting seriously.

Present project is strengthening and extending activities and processes started during first RSG. The main aims of the project are to conserve wetland ecosystems and fish fauna through holistic, ecosystem approach and to generate sustainable livelihood for fishermen and labourers. Diverse activities in this project includes rejuvenation of local traditional decision making systems and their capacity building, data generation and preparation of status report on the present status of the wetlands, awareness generation, deploying students power for wetland conservation, eco-restoration and livelihood generation for local people through National Rural Employment Guaranty Act 2005 (NREGA) of government of India and aquaculture of local fishes and establishment of Fresh Water Protected Areas.

Present project is creating small local decision-making systems; strengthening existing traditional institutions and doing capacity building of the same. In case of fishermen, I am focusing on the establishment of chain of cooperative societies and River Study Groups (RSGs). To harness potential of the various government schemes like NREGA I am trying to develop activism from local level. I believe data generation and availability of the same for all is a key factor, which can strengthen the local decision-making mechanism and can lower discrimination. I am developing data banks, using Right to Information Act (RTI) and involvement of the students and educational institutions in data generation. Sensitizing local people and other classes of the society by effective campaign of the awareness generation is an important factor in the present project. I am involving government officials in the whole gamut for effective implementation various socially relevant schemes. Project is also focussing on the issues of financial security to local groups of fishermen and labours by creating community fund and other aids.

Summarily I believe that, if the movement of the whole basin conservation is applied, various human, ecological, economic, cultural, human resources, political and educational approaches used then only wetlands will be saved, and sustainable life will be ensure.