RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Regulating the shell and sand mining in the estuarine region will have positive impact on the diversity and distribution of edible bivalves.

2. The lessons from serious human impacts caused to Sharavathi estuary ecosystem, in the form of massive disappearance of edible molluscs, decline of high salinity tolerant mangrove species and dislocations in associated biodiversity etc., the implications of which are yet uncounted, should teach us to be more cautious in future in dealing with developmental projects especially affecting riverine systems. The role of estuary as breeding places and nurseries for several marine fishes of economic value has been totally ignored while executing such large river valley projects.

3. Maintenance of physico-chemical properties of estuaries need to be considered while executing any major river valley projects so that they can continue to be centres of diversity and productivity meeting the food and livelihood needs of thousands of families while also performing the vital ecological functions traditionally associated with estuaries.