Governability Assessment Framework as a tool for Fisheries Management in Small and Medium Reservoirs in India

Abstract

Reservoirs are important impounded water bodies that serve multiple primary objectives like irrigation and power generation besides supporting other economic activities like fisheries and tourism. This communication discusses a governability assessment framework that can be used to assess and understand the various competing systems in a reservoir to achieve better management strategies for sustained fisheries. Fisheries is often an ancillary benefit activity in reservoirs and the agencies controlling fisheries are often dependent on other actors for its regulation. Decisions by the owner Departments have an impact on fishing activities and management of fishery is thus complex, and synergy between the agencies is primary factor for better management that supports livelihoods, which can be complimented with technical solutions to fishery related issues. The two steps in a four step assessment framework adapted is being discussed where the fisheries governance problems in reservoirs and the system properties- system to be governed; governing system and governing interactions, are presented.