Land and Water Characteristics Governing Inland Pond Fisheries in East Singhbhum District- Jharkhand

East Singhbhum, in south-eastern Jharkhand, combines high monsoonal rainfall with a dissected hard rock plateau, extensive acidic soils and a large stock of rural ponds and tanks. This study synthesised official district, soil, groundwater and aquaculture sources to evaluate how these conditions shape inland pond-fishery development, with specific reference to Potka block. District land-resource mapping indicates strong spatial variation in slope, soil depth and runoff. Soil pH ranges from 4.1 to 7.6, and about 93% of the mapped district area is acidic; nearly 60% is affected by land degradation, predominantly water erosion. The 2025 groundwater assessment classifies Potka as Safe, with 3,822.5 hectare-metres of annual extractable groundwater, 492.9 hectare-metres of extraction and a 12.9% stage of groundwater extraction. However, monitoring shows pronounced seasonal water-level changes, while Potka groundwater samples vary substantially in electrical conductivity, hardness and major-ion composition. These results support a rainwater- and surface-storage-led aquaculture strategy rather than routine pond filling by groundwater. Existing perennial ponds on stable sites are the lowest-risk entry point for composite carp culture; seasonal ponds require shorter production cycles and earlier harvest. Site decisions should be based on measured pond depth, retention, catchment condition, bottom-soil pH, source-water chemistry and pollution pathways. The study concludes that Potka is suitable for expanded pond aquaculture only through pond-level verification, test-based liming, controlled stocking, catchment protection and seasonal water budgeting.