| Summary: | Not Available The geographic information systems (GIS) play an important role in all geospatial aspects of assessment, monitoring, and management of inland open water resources for strategic development in the fsheries sector. In India, reservoir fsheries development is one of the fagship programme and several initiatives have been taken up towards enhancement and sustainable development. The present study investigates spatio-temporal changes in ecology and fsheries in Hirakud reservoir, Odisha, build across river Mahanadi which features one of the largest dams in South Asia during 2016–17 to 2018–19. The reservoir is mainly utilized for electricity generation, irrigation and ofers tremendous scope to support fsheries and livelihood. The mean water spread area during 2016–17 to 2018–19 was at the minimum (42721 ha) during premonsoon period and was at the maximum (62059 ha) during monsoon. Most of the water quality parameters including nitrate, BOD, and alkalinity during 2016–17 to 2018–19 were higher in the premonsoon period and overall, the parameters were under favorable range for fsheries. The present investigation from the fsh landing sites of the reservoir, recorded merely 40 fsh species, indicating loss of fsh diversity as compared to the historical reports. The IUCN conservation status showed that among the 40 species only one species, Wallago attu is under the VU category and 4 species Chitala chitala, Ompok bimaculatus, Ailia colia, and Bagarius bagarius are under the NT category. The fsh production in the reservoir was 8200 t during 2018–19. The analysis of time series annual fsh catch data using the ARIMA model forecasted the increasing trend of fsh production. The water quality parameters were presented in the GIS platform for a better understanding of the spatial variations over time. Habitat protection of fsh breeding grounds, closed seasons, mesh size regulations, scientifc management, and community participation are recommended as the measures for conservation of fish diversity and sustainable ...
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