Abstract
Madhya Pradesh hosts a vast network of large and medium reservoirs with significant untapped fisheries potential. This study presents a GIS-based framework to systematically identify aquaculture suitability zones across these reservoirs, with a detailed focus on selected reservoirs including the 26,000 ha Bargi Reservoir in Jabalpur. High-resolution Sentinel-2 satellite imagery was integrated with field-validated or secondary water quality parameters (dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature, nutrient levels) to generate spatial layers. Using supervised classification and multi-criteria evaluation, over 500 hectares of high-potential sites were delineated for cage culture, pen culture, and stock enhancement. Priority species included Indian Major Carps (Catla, Rohu, Mrigal), Tilapia, and Pangasius. Validation of suitability maps through pilot trials and stakeholder consultations projected a 20–30% increase in fish production. Socioeconomic integration was achieved by engaging Fisheries Cooperative Societies and tribal fishing communities, whose input informed site selection, capacity-building initiatives, and equitable benefit-sharing. Ecological risks, including nutrient enrichment and invasive species, were mitigated through zoning and exclusion areas. This integrated geospatial and participatory approach optimizes reservoir fisheries while maintaining balance with irrigation, biodiversity conservation, and tourism. The framework offers a scalable decision-support model for policymakers, enhancing fish production, food and nutritional security, and rural livelihoods across Madhya Pradesh.
Keywords: GIS, Reservoir Fisheries, Aquaculture Suitability, Spatial Mapping, Bargi Reservoir, Sustainable Inland Fisheries, Community Engagement, Madhya Pradesh