Aqua Parks and Sanctuaries: The New Life of India's Reservoirs

India’s reservoirs, covering nearly 3 million hectares, represent vast yet underutilized fisheries resources. Despite the nation’s rich aquatic biodiversity, unsustainable fishing practices and habitat degradation have hindered productivity, leaving yields far below potential. Converting selected reservoirs into fish sanctuaries and aqua parks offers a sustainable strategy to protect fish biodiversity, restore habitats, and enhance fish production. Sanctuaries act as protected breeding and nursery zones, safeguarding ecologically sensitive areas and replenishing fish stocks in adjacent fishing zones. Community-led models, as seen in the Western Ghats and Karnataka’s temple-based sanctuaries, demonstrate successful integration of conservation and livelihoods. These initiatives have shown positive impacts on biodiversity, fish yield, and socio-economic conditions without adverse environmental effects. Establishing fish sanctuaries through government action and community participation is an urgent need to ensure the long-term sustainability of India’s inland fisheries, secure livelihoods, and preserve genetic diversity for future generations.