Fisheries ecology of the northeastern Himalayas with special reference to the Brahmaputra River

Biswas, S. P.; Boruah, Sanchita

doi:10.1016/s0925-8574(00)00075-6

Cited by 23 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…In India, studies on the diversity of freshwater Wshes in the major basins were primarily focused on the catch data of major taxonomic groups at spatial scale (Vishwanath et al 1998) and information on the species abundance, distribution and priority habitat attributes required for conservation are very limited except few studies (Singh andSharma 1998 Bhatt 2003; 1 C Dahanukar et al 2004;Biswas and Barua 2000). So far waterbodies of the PA is concerned; scant data is available on Wsh diversity studies.…”

Section: Indian Scenariomentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation of freshwater fish resources of India: new approaches, assessment and challenges

2008

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The freshwater resources of India are currently experiencing an alarming decline in Wsh biodiversity due to several factors and as a result, a sizeable portion of fresh water Wshes have been categorized as threatened. This emphasizes an immediate need for initiating research and actions for alternative management techniques to protect these aquatic systems. One such option that has potential to protect freshwater ecosystem from numerous threats is the creation of freshwater aquatic sanctuary (FAS) within protected area network. Though similar conservation practices are well established in the terrestrial and marine ecosystem, however, the work on freshwater systems has been very slow and negligible. In the present communication we conceptualized the need and approach for developing FAS within the protected area network based on our observations in the water bodies of the selected wildlife sanctuaries in Northern India as well as success stories of some other countries. In this study we assessed the Wsh diversity in the selected protected areas of Northern India. The assessment indicated that these sanctuaries harbor 28.26-31.13% of freshwater Wshes, which are threatened in other areas. Apart from Indian Major Carps, Tor putitora, Chitala chitala, Pangasius pangasius, Clupisoma gerua, Ailia coila, Aorichthys aor, Wallago attu, Rhinomugil corsula, Ompok pabda, Ombok pabo etc. were the important species encountered in the protected waters. The various issues related to FAS including objectives, approach, potential tools, implementation and management are discussed towards saving endangered Wsh germplasm resources. Approaches, tools and 1 C modus operandi proposed in this communication could be utilized by other developing countries in the region.

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Section: Indian Scenariomentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation of freshwater fish resources of India: new approaches, assessment and challenges

2008

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“…The mean annual precipitation was 1508 mm over the 2‐year study period. The watershed characteristics, especially soil quality and depth, land use, and presence or absence of connecting canals between the river and beels , greatly influence the productivity of the beel (Biswas & Boruah 2000). Rivers, floodplains, beels and ponds constitute distinct habitat types in the Chalan beel , as they do in other floodplains in Bangladesh (Craig et al .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Chalan beel in Bangladesh: Habitat and biodiversity degradation, and implications for future management

et al. 2009

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This study provides an overview of the current resources and fisheries status of the Chalan beel, and identifies the scope of opportunities to evolve existing fisheries management strategies, focusing on fish biodiversity conservation. Chalan beel is the largest, most important watershed in the North Central Bangladesh, and covers an area of about 375 km 2 during the monsoon season. The watershed serves about 5 million people, predominantly through fisheries and agricultural activities. Although considerably degraded over time, Chalan beel still supports a diverse ichthyofauna of major importance to the local economy and people's livelihoods. The Chalan beel area incorporates 21 rivers and 93 smaller seasonal beels of varying size. Most of the rivers and beels are at risk of partial or total degradation, as a result of agricultural encroachment, siltation and other anthropogenic activities. During the study, ≈ 83% of the rivers, and 68% of the beels in the lean season, shrunk to 0-5% of their maximum (monsoon) water-spread area during the dry season (i.e. critical levels for survival of many fish species). A fish catch survey was carried out in the main fishing season (July to December) over two successive years in the three most important catchment areas; namely, the Gumani, Baral and Katagang Rivers. A total of 72 sampling episodes yielded 9818 individuals, representing 114 fish species. The most abundant fish species during the 2-year study period were punti (Puntius sophore and Puntius ticto), followed by chanda (Chanda nama and Parambassis ranga), chapila (Gudusia chapra) and tengra (Mystus vittatus). The study results indicate at least 19 fish species once considered abundant can now be classified as threatened, with a possibility of local extinction. The mean fish catch was 2.08 ± 0.49 kg, and 1.29 ± 0.32 kg per hour per person, by suti jal (set bag net -the most common gear used in the beel) in 2005 and 2006, respectively, with a significant (P < 0.05) variation among catches in months and years at all three sample sites. In 2005-2006, the annual fish production in Chalan beel was 12 217 tonnes, being less than half of the production observed in 1982. The stakeholders identified several major causes they thought were directly responsible for the continued decrease in fish production and biodiversity of the beel area. Several management strategies were suggested by the same stakeholders, and the findings are discussed in the context of overall developments in the Chalan beel fisheries related to habitat and biodiversity management.

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“…Living organism has a tendency to match their body colouration with the surrounding environment so that they cannot be easily detected. Thus, the highly weed infested beels are excellent habitat for many colourful aquarium fishes [13]. Das and Biswas [14] reported 70 species of ornamental fishes from the beels of upper Assam, most of which have considerable commercial value in the domestic as well as overseas market.…”

Section: Ornamental Fish Resources Of Ne India and Their Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation and Management of Ornamental Fish Resources of North East India

2015

J Aquac Res Development

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The variety of micro-habitats, high diversity of biotic and abiotic components and the suitable climatic condition have made the north-eastern region of India as one of the world's richest repository of ichthyofaunal resources. Being in one of the highest precipitated zone in the world, region is having innumerable streams, lakes and a variety of aquatic habitats. Over 3500 floodplain lakes (beels) are other potential fishery resources in the region and they offer tremendous scope for both culture and capture fisheries. According to one estimate, the region is the home for over 300 fish species ranging from tiny colourful wetland species to gigantic catfishes of the Brahmaputra. About 40% of them are potential ornamental fish species. Many of them are endemic and as such biopyracy of endemic species is the rule of the day. Further, habitat degradation is also a major concern. An attempt has been made here to examine the current status of exploitation, conservation and management practices of ornamental fishes in the northeast India.

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Fisheries ecology of the northeastern Himalayas with special reference to the Brahmaputra River

Cited by 23 publications

References 4 publications

Conservation of freshwater fish resources of India: new approaches, assessment and challenges

Conservation of freshwater fish resources of India: new approaches, assessment and challenges

The Chalan beel in Bangladesh: Habitat and biodiversity degradation, and implications for future management

Conservation and Management of Ornamental Fish Resources of North East India

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