INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN APPLIED SCIENCE (IJRIAS)
ISSN No. 2454-6194 | DOI: 10.51584/IJRIAS |Volume X Issue IX September 2025
www.rsisinternational.org
Page 665
Aquaculture in the Indian Knowledge System: Traditional Wisdom
and Modern Relevance
Dr. Namrata
Department of Zoology Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, Ranchi, India
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51584/IJRIAS.2025.100900066
Received: 30 Sep 2025; Accepted: 08 Oct 2025; Published: 17 October 2025
ABSTRACT
Aquaculture in India has evolved as both a livelihood and a cultural practice, deeply embedded within the
Indian Knowledge System (IKS). Rooted in ancient texts, rituals, and community traditions, aquaculture
demonstrates the sustainable use of aquatic resources for food, culture, and ecological balance. This paper
explores the historical, cultural, and philosophical dimensions of aquaculture in IKS, alongside its practices
and their implications for modern aquaculture. By highlighting indigenous knowledge such as rice–fish
systems, pond culture, herbal therapeutics, and community water management, the article presents a case for
integrating traditional ecological wisdom with modern scientific advancements. Such integration is essential
for addressing challenges of food security, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation. The article
concludes by emphasising the relevance of IKS-informed aquaculture in achieving sustainable development
goals and fostering community resilience.
Key Words: Climatic Resilience, Indigenous Knowledge, Aquaculture, Ecology, Aquatic Resources
INTRODUCTION
India is the world’s second-largest aquaculture producer after China, contributing significantly to global fish
production and food security (FAO, 2020). Aquaculture in India today is often associated with intensive
scientific practices, including hatchery-based breeding, commercial feed, and high-yield farming systems. Yet,
beneath this modern façade lies a rich reservoir of traditional practices, philosophies, and community-driven
knowledge that shaped aquatic resource use for centuries.
The Indian Knowledge System (IKS) emphasises the harmony between humans and nature, guided by
principles of sustainability, dharma (duty), and loka-samgraha (collective welfare). Aquaculture practices
recorded in ancient texts such as the Arthashastra and Rigveda, and embedded in folklore and community
traditions, reveal how aquatic systems were managed for ecological balance and social welfare. This paper
seeks to contextualise aquaculture within IKS and examine its relevance in modern contexts, particularly for
sustainable food production, climate adaptation, and cultural continuity.
Historical Roots of Aquaculture in India
Ancient Textual References
The Arthashastra (4th century BCE) by Kautilya mentions regulations around ponds, water bodies, and the
collection of taxes from fishing activities, demonstrating early governance of aquatic resources (Shamasastry,
1915). The Rigveda and Atharvaveda contain hymns referring to rivers, lakes, and aquatic organisms as sacred
entities, underscoring their cultural and ecological significance (Griffith, 1896). Later texts, such as the Matsya
Purana, emphasised the sanctity of fish and aquatic ecosystems, reflecting a spiritual dimension to aquaculture.
Archaeological and Historical Evidence
Excavations in the Indus Valley Civilisation reveal sophisticated water management systems such as tanks,
reservoirs, and canals, which likely supported fish cultivation (Possehl, 2002). In South India, particularly
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN APPLIED SCIENCE (IJRIAS)
ISSN No. 2454-6194 | DOI: 10.51584/IJRIAS |Volume X Issue IX September 2025
www.rsisinternational.org
Page 666
during the Chola and Pallava periods, inscriptions describe the construction and maintenance of irrigation
tanks (ericchery), which often doubled as fish-rearing systems (Ludden, 1985). Buddhist Jataka tales also
narrate stories of communities managing ponds with fish, linking aquaculture with ethical and community-
based governance.
Traditional Aquaculture Practices in IKS
Rice–Fish Culture
Rice–fish farming, a practice prevalent in Eastern India (West Bengal, Assam, Odisha), involves cultivating
fish in paddy fields. This system improves soil fertility, reduces pests through natural predation, and enhances
farm income (Dey et al., 2018). The practice is ecologically significant, as fish aerate the soil, recycle
nutrients, and provide protein-rich food. In IKS, such symbiotic relationships illustrate the principle of
Prakriti–Purusha (harmony of nature and humans).
Pond and Tank Culture
Community tanks (ahars, pynes, johads) across India were used not just for irrigation but also for fish rearing.
In Bengal’s “bheri” fisheries, brackish water lagoons sustained carp and prawn culture for centuries (Nayak &
Berkes, 2014). These systems were community-managed, with collective responsibilities for maintenance,
distribution of catch, and protection from overexploitation, aligning with IKS values of shared responsibility.
Herbal and Indigenous Therapeutics
Traditional fish farmers often used medicinal plants to treat diseases in fish. For example, neem (Azadirachta
indica) extracts were applied to control ectoparasites, while turmeric (Curcuma longa) was used for wound
healing (Pillay, 1993). Such practices represent eco-friendly alternatives to chemical therapeutics, reducing
environmental toxicity.
Indigenous Fishing Gears and Techniques
Fishing communities employed gears made from bamboo, coir, and cotton nets, which were biodegradable and
sustainable. Traditional traps like ghuni jal (cone-shaped nets) and bansi (hook and line) minimise bycatch
compared to modern trawling. These practices aligned with IKS principles of minimal ecological disruption.
Philosophical and Cultural Dimensions
Sacred Ecology and Dharma
Indian traditions often sacralized water bodies, considering them abodes of deities like Varuna (god of waters)
and Matsya (fish incarnation of Vishnu). Ritual protection of ponds and lakes ensured their maintenance and
safeguarded aquatic biodiversity (Haberman, 2006). Dharma emphasised sustainable use and ethical restraint,
discouraging overfishing during breeding seasons.
Festivals, Folklore, and Aquatic Biodiversity
In Assam, the Bihu festival includes rituals around fishing, symbolising fertility and prosperity. Folklore across
Bengal and Odisha speaks of deities residing in ponds, cautioning against reckless exploitation. Such cultural
dimensions reinforced ecological stewardship through community norms.
Integrating IKS and Modern Aquaculture
Complementarities
IKS practices offer low-input, climate-resilient methods that can complement modern aquaculture’s
technological advances. For example, rice–fish culture aligns with integrated multitrophic aquaculture models
promoted globally for sustainability (FAO, 2018). Herbal remedies can reduce dependence on antibiotics,
addressing antimicrobial resistance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN APPLIED SCIENCE (IJRIAS)
ISSN No. 2454-6194 | DOI: 10.51584/IJRIAS |Volume X Issue IX September 2025
www.rsisinternational.org
Page 667
Policy and Institutional Dimensions
The National Fisheries Policy of India acknowledges the role of traditional practices and calls for their
integration into contemporary aquaculture. Aligning IKS with policies such as the Blue Revolution and FAO’s
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2, 14, and 15) can promote food security while conserving ecosystems
(Government of India, 2020).
Case Studies
In West Bengal, reviving bheri fisheries has enhanced livelihoods and biodiversity (Nayak & Berkes, 2014).
In tribal Jharkhand, community tanks are used for seasonal fish farming, integrating traditional water
harvesting with aquaculture (Singh, 2019).
In Northeast India, indigenous women-led aquaculture cooperatives demonstrate how traditional wisdom
supports gender-inclusive development (Saikia, 2021).
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite its potential, integrating IKS into modern aquaculture faces challenges such as commercialisation,
habitat degradation, and loss of traditional knowledge among younger generations. However, opportunities
exist in community-based conservation, eco-certification of traditional products, and research on
ethnobiological practices. Universities and research institutes can document and validate indigenous
knowledge for wider application.
CONCLUSION
Aquaculture in the Indian Knowledge System embodies sustainability, cultural continuity, and ecological
wisdom. By harmonising traditional practices with modern scientific methods, India can develop climate-
resilient, socially inclusive, and ecologically sustainable aquaculture. The revival and integration of IKS not
only safeguard biodiversity but also enrich cultural identity and support global sustainability goals.
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