Page 110 - Sonbeel Utsab 2024

focus species (fishes and birds) can be taken up. Construction of check dams and
ponds can be taken up in convergence with MGNREGA for improved soil moisture
and fishery activity. Making of staggered contour trenches on hill slopes will help
conserve rain water, encourage better percolation leading to improved moisture and
hence improved productivity.

Optimum water storage plan for Sonbeel can also be prepared and monitored
by devising a hydrodynamic model of Sonbeel taking into consideration of two-way
flow system using high resolution satellite imagery and artificial intelligence.
Factors responsible for decline in aquatic diversity would need to be identified and
effective steps taken to restore the fish diversity. A risk-weighted profitability
analysis of Boro cultivation, sustainable fishing and tourism based livelihood needs
to be debated, understood and adopted for a sustainable development of the area.

Fish value chains needs to be improved, strengthened and sustained. Capture
fishery should be encouraged. Homestays and ecotourism may be developed.
Viewpoints, observatories and film studios can be set up. Other animal-based
livelihood activities such as Piggery and poultry can be promoted.

All that is required now is to develop a broad consensus among all
Sonbeelites and concretize the ideas into implementable Projects. I am happy that a
beginning is being made, and the Sonbeel Fest is a step in the right direction. Sonbeel
Utsab 2024 is about gearing up for collective action to save Sonbeel's ecosystem and
Sonbeelites' livelihoods.

******

[* The author is an IFS officer hailing from Sonbeel's coastal village Gamaria;
and is presently posted as Joint Secretary to the Government of India. Views are
personal.]

102