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Fish Fauna Distribution Pattern, Threats And Their Conservation Issues In Protected Areas: A Case Study From Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary In Lower Ganga, Bihar, India
[Full Text]
AUTHOR(S)
Manish Kumar*, Sunil Kumar Choudhary, Manish Chandra Varma
KEYWORDS
Biodiversity, Destructive fishing, Fisheries, Fish distribution, Lower Ganga, Protected area, Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS)
ABSTRACT
In the present investigation freshwater fish species diversity, distribution pattern, and their threats for conservation was carried out in three sampling zones keeping Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS) as center point in lower Ganga stretch during 2016-17. Totally 53 fish species from 21 families belonging to 10 orders have been recorded from all the three sites. Among them family Cyprinidae was dominated by representing 23 species (41%) and least was Clupidae (0.04%). According to the IUCN status, only 1 species was found vulnerable, 6 in low risk near threatened, one species in data deficient category, 43 in low risk least concern and 2 species were categorized in not evaluated category. Significant threats in means of disturbances, fishing pressure, destructive fishing practice (illegal net application) and habitat destruction have been reported. Protected part of the study stretch (VGDS) has supported substantial fish diversity which shows influence on catch of downstream. However, increasing percentage of small and trash fishes is alarming the conservation of fish resources in river Ganga. Furthermore, management strategies like awareness on sustainable harvesting, river pollution and destructive fishing may help in conservation of the native and endemic fish species in the mighty river of India.
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