Bundh Breeding

Alikunhi et al (1960) stated that “Bundhs are specialized ponds where the condition of reverine flow are created by constructing embankments against the large catchment area, subjected to rapid flooding during monsoon” Bundh are special type of perennial and seasonal pond or impoundments where reverine conditions are simulated during monsoon months. The bundh after heavy rain, receive large quantities of rain water, washing from their extensive catchment and provide large shallow marginal areas which become the spawning ground for carps. Bundh-breeding, this is prevalent only in the States of Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, accounted for 5.38% of the total fish seed production in the country. It is however, reported that wet bundhs are existent in certain parts of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, wherein breeding of major carps reportedly takes place; but no definite information as to their occurrence and magnitude is available with the concerned State Governments.

Bundhs are Two Types:

1) Perennial Bundh – Wet Bundh
2) Seasonal Bundh – Dry Bundh

1. Perennial Bundh – Wet Bundh: A wet type of bundh is a kind of small or large perennial pond or tank, from a few acres to over a square mile, in the midst of a low-lying and bounded on three sides by high embankments. In summer, generally a quarter parts of most of these bundhs dries up and is cultivated, with the central part, deeper than the surrounding area, always contains some water and harbors mature fish

Many large irrigation tanks having rich coverage of forests wood/fields in the catchment can also serve as good wet bundh. After heavy monsoon shower, freshwater with washing form the upland areas rushes in the bundh and the major portion of the tank or reservoir may even overflow, the excess water being drained out through the outlet known as “bundhs”. The outlet is protected by bamboo fencing known as “Chhera”. The shallow gradual slopping is know as “Moans” in W.B. are the main spawning ground. As soon as the monsoon starts, with first and second heavy shower the wet bundh gets inundated, particularly the gradual slopping area with run off water. It stimulates the fishes in the bundh and they migrate to the shallow marginal area, start breeding in suitable ground.

2. Dry Bundh: A dry bundh has been described as a shallow depression enclosed by an earthen wall (locally known as bundh) on three sides, which impounds fresh rain water from the catchment area during the monsoon season. Such impoundments, which remain more or less dry during a greater part of the year, are known as dry bundhs.

The topography of the land has a great role to play in the location and distribution of dry-bundhs. The undulated land, which provides a large catchment area and facilities for quick filling of the bundhs even with a short rain and at the same time quick and easy drainage due to gravitation, in the Midnapore and Bankura districts of West Bengal has specially favoured the construction of large number of such bundhs in the private sectors. In Madhya Pradesh, dry bundhs are mainly distributed around Nowgang in Chhatrapur district, where topography of the land and the soil type are almost similar to that in the two districts of West Bengal referred to above.

Spawning in both wet and dry bundh usually occurs after continuous heavy showers for days, which large quantity of rain water rush into the bundh. The technique adopted for dry bundh breeding from time to time in different areas may be broadly classified in two stages which are presented bellow.

First Stage: - In this stage after accumulation of sufficient rain water brooders were transferred from some other perennial ponds, generally during rainy days, in Bundh. No importance is to be given to the brooders related to maturity and sex ratio. By inlet & outlet flow of water created & this breeding is observed within 3-4 days. After total dewatering the eggs are collected. In single season three operations can be done.

Second Stage: - The technique adopted in this stage is much improved as it was done by better understanding of sex ratio, size and no. of brooders. Fully ripe male and female (1:2 in number & 1:1 in weight) are introduced with accumulated rain water in rainy days, with injecting 2-3 sets (sympathetic breeding). Successive spawning could also be achieved as five times in one times in one seasons (Dubey 1969).