Inland Saline Aquaculture: A Sustainable Approach for Utilisation of Saline Water and Salt-Affected Land

Inland saline aquaculture represents a promising resource-utilisation strategy for regions where freshwater is limited and substantial areas of land are affected by salinity or waterlogging. The available literature demonstrates that inland saline water can support the culture of a wide range of marine, brackishwater, freshwater, ornamental and crustacean species when appropriate water-quality and ionic conditions are maintained. The evidence reviewed in the source document indicates that India possesses considerable potential for inland saline aquaculture, particularly in saline-affected areas of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and other regions. Research on freshwater carps and other freshwater species is particularly important because it provides opportunities for farmers who may not have access to marine seed, specialised infrastructure or established shrimp-production systems. Among freshwater species, Cyprinus carpio represents an important candidate because of its established culture technology, adaptability and demonstrated ability to reproduce and develop under low-salinity inland groundwater conditions. Nevertheless, survival at a particular salinity should not be considered equivalent to optimum commercial production. Production decisions must consider growth, feed utilisation, reproductive performance, seed quality, water chemistry and economic returns. The future development of inland saline aquaculture should therefore follow a site-specific, species-specific and ecosystem-based approach. Water and soil characterisation, mineral management, selective breeding, improved seed production, environmentally responsible effluent management, farmer training and economic assessment should form the foundation of commercial development. Ultimately, inland saline aquaculture can contribute to a broader transition from resource degradation to resource utilisation by converting selected saline and waterlogged lands into productive aquatic-food systems. Further interdisciplinary research and carefully monitored field-scale demonstrations are required to establish economically viable and environmentally responsible production models for India and other saline-affected regions.

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