Title: Multi-criteria geospatial techniques for selecting potentially suitable sites for aquaculture development in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India

Authors: Nirupam Acharyya; Surajit Panda; Swasti Barman; Suman Pratihar; Jatisankar Bandyopadhyay

Addresses: Department of Remote Sensing & GIS, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore – 721102, West Bengal, India ' Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Bungalow No. A-2, Shyamali Colony, Doranda, Ranchi – 834002, Jharkhand, India ' Department of Zoology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore – 721102, West Bengal, India ' Department of Zoology, Sukumar Sengupta Mahavidyalaya, Keshpur, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal – 721150, India ' Department of Remote Sensing & GIS, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore – 721102, West Bengal, India

Abstract: This study focuses on two analytical frameworks (a) site suitability for fish farming (SSFF) and (b) site suitability for commercial fish farming (SSCFF) of Purba Medinipur district. Physicochemical conditions, weather, environment, establishment and profitability were selected as suitability parameters. Spatial interpolation techniques were used to generalise the distribution of water quality, soil character, precipitation and population of the fisherman family. Proximity and spatial analysis techniques were used to assign the scale for perennial River, road-rail network, market, industries, sub-division capital and density measurement respectively. The distribution of land use and land cover (LULC) and slope has been characterised as another parameter. Weightage overlay analysis has been used to evaluate the distribution of suitable sites. SSFF model shows that 19.91% area is suitable, 67.71% moderately suitable and 12.38% areas come under the unsuitable category. The SSCFF model indicated that only 12.16 % area is suitable for the economically favourable fish firming.

Keywords: geospatial technology; water quality; LULC; land use and land cover; weightage overlay; SSFF-SSCFF; site selection.

DOI: 10.1504/IJW.2021.123068

International Journal of Water, 2021 Vol.14 No.2/3, pp.167 - 191

Received: 08 Feb 2020
Accepted: 16 Jul 2020
Published online: 26 May 2022 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article