The southern Punjab, Cholistan (Rohi) is one of the largest deserts of the country, which consists of sand dunes, sandy / loamy soil, and saline-sodic clayey soil. The ground water is mostly saline and brackish which is unfit for drinking and Agriculture. The economy of our country is agricultural based. However, Livestock and fisheries also play an important role to strengthen the economy of the country and livelihood. It is important to note that the one of the source of income of inhabitants of desert is livestock which is under threat due to scarcity of drinking water, continued overgrazing and cutting of shrubs and trees for firewood. Unluckily resources and people of Cholistan are always ignored. But now it is a right time to take a right decision for prosperous future of Cholistan.
Aquaculture is the best alternate of livestock which will be helpful to reduce poverty, improve health and economy of the country. Development of sustainable brackish water aquaculture by using local natural resources (underground brackish water and barren land of desert) is best option to save and support the life in harsh climate.
Six areas of Southern Punjab including Cholistan (Qila drawer), Sadiqabad, Liaqat Pur, Chani Goth, Ahmed Pur and Rahim Yar Khan were surveyed for the collection of saline and brackish water samples. Physico-chemical parameters of collected water samples were analyzed in laboratory. Various brackish water samples were selected to complete the activities of the project. The research work was divided into two components (laboratory work and field study). Initial trials were conducted in the laboratory and fish was kept under similar management conditions to study the survival and growth performance of fresh water fish species in brackish water of southern Punjab within the salinity range 3.2ppt – 12ppt.
Hematological, Serological, Histopathological, Cytotoxic and Genotoxic studies of reared fish species were also examined. On the basis of laboratory experiments fish species which showed best growth and survival rates were identified and their fingerlings were collected from Alipur Hatchery and reared in ponds of brackish water located at Fateh Pur Janobi Tehsil Ali Pur (29.33 ̊ N and 70.76 ̊ E) District Muzaffargarh. The net production of reared fish species in ponds were examined for two years.
On the basis of the provided information to the farmers, now they are getting benefit on commercial level by using the brackish water and barren land for fish culture. we provided the authentic information to farmers about brackish water aquaculture. This project has positive impacts on the
fisheries stakeholders by more utilization of barren lands and brackish water to increase the production of fish on commercial level. Brackish water fish culture is providing a high quality animal protein to improve the health of the poor’s and enhances the socio-economic condition of the farmers.