'Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi'
Abstract
In line with the strategy of regional wetland datasets integration to a common national digital platform, map
of small wetlands less than 2.2 ha in Kochi Taluk was prepared. A representative small wetland at Edakochi
village of Kerala was selected through maps and field visits for preliminary assessment and restoration. Shuttle
Radar Topography Mission’s Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was used to assess the general elevation, slope
and flow accumulation pattern of the selected wetland along with assessment of the catchment area and
drainage pattern. Restoration works of the selected wetland was carried out vis-a-vis side bund strengthening
and sluice gate fortification. The comparative analysis of water quality assessment of wetland before and after
restoration revealed improvement in water quality parameters as well as increase in water level. The Dissolved
Oxygen level of the aquatic system was found to have increased substantially along with other several favourable changes in water parameters due to the restoration activities. The restored wetland at Edakochi was further utilised for multispecies farming of prawns, Pearl spot, Milk fish and Grey mullet and the harvest indicated sustainable yield. Aquaculture practice in wetlands with real time scientific advisories could ensure continuous data generation and village level climate resilience