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Multidimensional Constraints to Native Fish Biodiversity Management: Perceptions of Fishers in North-East India

, , , , , ,
Martina Meinam — Ph.D. Scholar
Biswajit Lahiri — Lembucherra-799210, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, India
Amitava Ghosh — Assistant Professor
Anil Datt Upadhyay — Professor, College of Fisheries, Lembucherra-799210, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, India
Soibam Khogen Singh — Senior Scientists, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ukhrul, ICAR Research Complex NEH Region, Manipur Centre, Manipur-795142, India
Prasenjit Pal — Senior Scientists, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai-400061, Maharashtra, India
Y Jackie Singh — Assistant Professor
Published 29 Sep 2026 Vol. 62 No. 4 (2026), pp. 305-311 ● Open access
❝ How to cite 🔗 https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2026.624RN09
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Abstract

Native fish biodiversity in North-East India is increasingly threatened due to environmental degradation, livelihood pressures, inadequate infrastructure, and weak institutional support. This study assessed the multidimensional constraints fishers perceive in managing native fish biodiversity in selected freshwater ecosystems in Manipur and Tripura. A cross sectional study was conducted during 2023–2025 among 240 fishers from 12 villages across the Loktak, Pumlen, Rudrasagar, and Dumboor water bodies of Northeast India. Primary data were collected through personal interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. Constraints were assessed using a five-point severity scale and analysed through Weighted Mean Scores, Kruskal–Wallis H tests and eta-squared (η²H) for assessing effect size. Significant village-level differences were observed for all constraint dimensions (p<0.001), with large effect sizes for physical, environmental, marketing, infrastructural, institutional and overall constraints (η²H=0.495–0.914). In contrast, technology-transfer constraints showed a moderate effect (η²H = 0.120). Among the lakes, Pumlen recorded particularly high physical, marketing and infrastructural constraints, whereas Rudrasagar showed comparatively lower constraint levels. The findings highlight a clear gap between biodiversity knowledge and its translation into conservation action. Sustainable management therefore requires location-specific, participatory fisheries extension interventions that integrate capacity building, market support, improved infrastructure, information access, and community participation. 

 

KeywordsNative fish biodiversityFishersConstraintsFisheries extensionKnowledge– action gapNorth-East India

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