AQUATIC
HOTSPOT
Bhachakanahalli |
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION |
Name of the Hotspot |
Bachanayakanagundi |
Focal species |
Mahseer- Tor khudree (Sykes) |
Coordinating Team |
Prof. Madhav Gadgil and team |
Investigating Team |
H.N. Chandrashekaraiah, M.F. Rahman, K. Sham bhat and Dr. G. V. Kowtal |
Date of data collection |
to 31.10.2003 |
Process of data collection |
Survey, study and enquiry |
Sources of information |
1) Sri. Suresh Kumar Deputy Director of Fisheries, Mangalore 2) Sri. Ganesh, Asst. Director of Fisheries, Mangalore. 3) Sri. P. R Yashochandra, Yenekal 4) Sri. Ananda Gowda, Parla 5) Sri. Balakrishna Gowda, Kayaru 6) Sri. Bhatya Ajila Mutlajadka, Yenekal |
Number of mondays consumed in data collection |
10 man –days |
SETTING |
Location |
Bachanayakanagundi is a spot in Yenekal river, which is a tribution to Kumaradhara river. |
Area (in ha or sq km) |
2 ha |
Latitude / Longitude |
Lat : 12 o 38' long : 75 o 35 |
Village/Town/Taluk/District |
Yenekal//Yenekal/Sullia/Dakshina Kannada |
Maps (Kind of map and the scale) |
Enclosed. |
Mode of access (Distance from Railway / Bus Station |
Bachanayakanagundi is near the famous Kukke-Subramanya temple. From pundigadde stop of Yenekal village , “Bachanayakanagundi” is just 1 km on mud road. It is located at a distance of 40 km from Sullia and 110 km from Mangalore |
Facilities to stay closest to the Hotspot |
Chowltry and hotels at Kukke -Subramanaya and IB. (P.W.D) and hotels at Sullia |
Tariff (if any) to be paid to visit the Hotspot |
Nil |
Controlling authorities |
Assistant Director of Fisheries, Mangalore |
Classes of landscape |
Forest and agricultural land bordering the perennial Yenekal river. |
Water body |
The Bachanayakanagundi Hotspot of Yenekal river is situated in Yenekal Village of Sullia Taluk. Bachanayaka is a local hero of the past who is being worshiped as a local DAIVA and Gundi-a river water pool in local language. Since the stone and Gudi, of Bachanayaka is situated on the banks of the river, the pool is named after him Kapukaya is another name of the same pool. It is not known who established the sacred pool, but it is the practice of local people to offer milk of newly calved cow to the sacred fishes of the pool. So also offerings of rice to the fishes is a sacred practice during the months of April every year from times immemorial. Local people celebrate the annual festival at the DAIVASTHANA or BOOTHASTHANA of Bachanayaka. During the occasion, people offer rice to the sacred fishes. Because of these acts of local people the sacred fishes have become safe and abundant here in Yenekal river. The river originates in Western Ghats at Kalmakaru area 25 Kms upstream and joins river Kumaradhara 3 Kms downstream from the spot. No dams are constructed across the perennial river. The riparian and bottom conditions are not altered. |
Human populations |
According to 1991 census the population of the village was 2435. |
Presence of Schedule tribes or Nomadic tribes population |
People mainly belonging to Vokkaliga community, ajila an mayila Scheduled caste and naiks of Scheduled Tribe live here. |
Live Stock |
Cattle, buffaloes, poultry, etc. |
Irrigation status and major crops |
Paddy, areca, coconut and plantains form the main crops. Rubber and cashew are also cultivated. |
Significant forest produce |
Besides green manure and firewood, rubber and cashew are grown as cash crops. |
Co-operative Societies and their transactions |
No Fisherman Co-operative Society is functioning here. |
Significant fresh water fish production : |
No commercial fishery is noticed. |
Disposal of fishing rights |
The Department of Fisheries is empowered to dispose the fishing rights. Traditionally fishing is not done in Bachanayakanagundi area of the river. But local people fish in the river. Traditional hooks, traps and small nets outside the zone of hotspot are operated catching of fish by dynamiting by migrant people is also reported at some places. There are no professional fishermen engaged in regular fishing in the area. |
Significant estuarine and marine fish /shell fish production |
Not applicable |
Number and types of fishing crafts |
No crafts are in use. |
Nearest fish landing centres and fish processing facility |
Local catch is scanty and scattered. Fish processing facility is not available. |
Mining and Quarrying activities |
Not done in the area. |
Source and extent of air and water pollution |
No air pollution, but use of agricultural pesticides, washings of vehicles etc cause water pollution to some extent. |
Prevalence of human diseases |
Not reported any time |
Prevalence of livestock diseases |
Not reported any time |
Educational institutions |
Pre – primary, Primary, Secondary, Higher secondary |
NGOS, and local clubs |
A. NGO called Parisarasaktha Krishikara Vedike, Karnataka has a branch which is taking interest in environmental protection. |
THREATS AND SUPPORTIVE RESTORATION ACTIVITIES |
Name of the individuals / organization / agency |
Activity with a positive influence on the core area |
Activity with a negative influence on the core area |
Sri. P.R. Yashochandra Yenekal |
Leader, Taluk level traditional protection group. |
Nil |
Department of Fisheries Government of Karnataka. |
Assists in development of the Hotspot by providing administrative and financial help |
Nil |
Forest Department Government of Karnataka. |
Assists in protecting the forest and wildlife |
Nil |
Migrant labourers |
Nil |
Dynamiting and fishing |
Local people |
Protect and feed the fishes |
Nil |
LIST OF KNOWLEDGE INDIVIDUALS |
Name |
Age group Years |
Sex |
Community |
Address of expertise |
Shri. P.R Yashochandra |
39 |
M |
Gowda |
Yeneka-574238 Sullia Taluk, D.K Ph : 08257-616258 |
Shri. Parla Ananda Gowda |
56 |
M, |
Gowda |
Yenekal - 574238 Sullia Taluk, D.K Ph : 08257-616510 |
HABITATS |
A |
Preparation of sketch map of the lanscape |
Map enclosed. |
B |
Description of habitat (LSE) :- |
|
1. |
Habitat type |
The river Yenekal is a perennial one flowing adjacent to the village Yenekal. The catchment is covered by forest and agricultural holdings. Hydromodifications and encroachments are observed in some places. Riparian conditions are not altered much. The bottom of the river is rocky with emerging granite rocks. The pools are deep and clear with constricted flow at some points. The ‘Hot spot' is located in traditional rural area of western ghat region. |
2. |
Local name (if any) |
Bachanayakanagundi and Athishayak- shethra Sree Kapu Kaya |
3. |
Approximate total area (ha) |
About two hectares (2 ha) |
4. |
Special significance of the habitat |
The Hotspot, a natural river course with deep and large pools and with swift flowing water is an ideal abode for large Mahseers – Tor khudree. |
5. |
Management regime |
At present, there is no local organization to look after the Hotspot. The Department of Fisheries is yet to declare the area as a ‘Fish Sanctuary ‘ and a place for fish protection. Still a traditional fish sanctuary is existing since ages due to the efforts of the devoted villagers. |
6. |
Goods and services provided by the habitat |
The river provides water for agriculture, human needs and aquatic life |
7. |
Bads and disservices provided by the habitat |
Nil |
8. |
Significant ecological processes influenced by the habitat type |
The area provides a good shelter for the rare and endangered Mahseer to develop and propagate in deep pools. |
9. |
Significant man-induced processes influenced by the habitat |
The presence of big sized fishes attract people and they worship and feed the fishes |
10. |
Interacting individuals and institutions (Local) |
Local people |
11. |
Interacting individuals and institutions (External) |
Visitors / pilgrims |
C. History of important habitat patches over 10-15/40-50 years | ||
1. |
Type and name of the habitat patch |
Bachanayakanagundi – Meenugundi, Athishayakshethra Sree Kapukaya |
2. |
Change in : |
|
i. |
Area |
Insignificant |
ii. |
Vegetation strata |
Normal |
3 |
Aquatic habitat change in :- |
|
i. |
Catchment area |
Not much |
ii. |
Aquatic fauna |
No significant change |
iii. |
Aquatic flora |
Not significant |
4. |
Significant ecological processes influencing the habitat patch |
No significant change in the waterbody and fish population is reported. |
5. |
Significant man-induced processes influencing the habitat patch |
Nil |
6. |
Productivity of Goods and services |
Not significant |
7. |
Extent of Bads and Disservices |
Nil |
8. |
Reasons for ongoing changes |
Normal / Natural |
9. |
Gainers |
Habitat |
10. |
Losers |
Nil |
11. |
Desired changes / Desired future |
The Department of Fisheries should take immediate action to declare 4 Km area in the upper reaches and 3 Km in the lower reaches of the Buchanayakanagundi as sanctuary. Arrange feeding of these fishes when there are no pilgrims; watch and ward should be organized. Organize awareness camps. A platform may be created to feed the fishes. A board indicating do's and don'ts should be erected . Forest Department may protect the forest and prevent encroachment of river course. A Committee consisting of local people Fisheries, Forest, Revenue, Gram Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat may be constituted for organized development and management of the Hotspot. |
12. |
Desired management system |
As above |
13. |
Suggested component for a feasible management plan for that habitat patch |
As above |
LIFE SCAPE |
i.PLANKTON | |
PHYTOPLANKTON | |
Chlorophyceae: Spirogyra | |
Bacillario phyceae: Synedra Fragillaria | |
ZOOPLANKTON | |
Protozoa: Amoeba | |
Copepoda: Cyclops | |
Rotifera: Filinia | |
Ostracoda: Cypris | |
ii.BENTHOS | |
Insects | |
Order: Odonata | |
Suborder: Anisoptera | |
Family: LIBELLULIDAE | |
1. Urothemis signata (Rambur) | |
Order: Hemiptera | |
Family: GERRIDAE | |
2. Gerris spinolae Leth & Sev | |
Family: CORIXIDAE | |
3. Micronecta merope Dist. | |
iii.AQUATIC WEEDS | Not recorded |
iv. FISH SPECIES | ||
Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Kannada Name |
Order : Anguilliformes Suborder : Anguilloidei Family : ANGUILLIDAE Genus : Anguilla Schrank 1. Anguilla bengalensis bengalensis (Gray & Hardw) |
Indian Longfin Eel |
Malaga |
Order : Cypriniformes Family : CYPRINIDAE Subfamily : Danioninae (=Rasborinae) Tribe : Oxygasterini . Genus : Salmostoma Swainson 2 Salmostoma clupeoides (Bloch) |
Black razor-belly minnow |
Orali |
Genus : Barilius Hamilton-Buchanan 3. Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton- Buchanan )Bilichi 4. Barilius gatensis (Valenciennes) |
Hamiliton's Baril River –carp Baril |
Bitchi Agasagitti menu |
Tribe : Danionini Genus : Danio Hamilton-Buchanan 5. Danio aequipinnatus (McClelland) |
Giant Danio |
Arashina patte |
Genus : Rasbora Bleeker 6. Rasbora daniconius (Hamilton - Buchanan |
Black line Rasbora |
Golai |
Subfamily : Cyprininae Tribe : Cyprinini Subtribe : Tores Genus : Tor Gray 7. Tor khudree (Sykes) |
Deccan Mahseer |
Bili menu |
Tribe : Systomini Subtribe : Systomi Genus : Puntius Hamilton-Buchanan 8 Puntius amphibius (Valenciennes) 9 Puntius fasciatus fasciatus (Day) 10 Puntius filimentosus (Valenciennes) 11 Puntius sarana sarana (Hamilton- Buchanan) 12 Puntaus ticto (Hamilton- Buchanan) |
Scralet-banded barb Melon barb Black spot Barb Olive barb Ticto barb |
Gende Pakke
Kijan Gende Bud pakke |
Tribe : Semiplotini Genus : Osteochilichthy's Hora 13 Osteochilichthys nashi (Day) |
Nash's Barb |
Ogari |
Subfamily : Oreininae Genus : Garra (Hamilton- Buchanan) (Jerdon) Family : BALITORIDAE Subfamily : Nemacheilinae Genus : Acanthocobitis Peters 15 Acanthocobitis moreh (Sykes) |
Niligiris's Garra Nemacheilus |
Kallu korava Murangi |
Genus : Mesonemacheilus Banarascu & Nalbant 16 Mesonemacheilus pulchellus (Day) |
Nemacheilus |
Murangi |
Gensu : Nemachilichthy (Day) 17 Nemachilichthys rueppelli ( Sykes) |
Nemacheilus |
Murangi |
Order : Siluriformes Family : BAGRIDAE Subfamily : Ritinae Genus : Rita Bleeker 18 Rita pavimentata (Valeneiennes) |
Gogra Rita |
Arashina Gaggarike |
Family : SILURIDAE Genus : Wallago Bleeker 19 Wallago attu (Schneider) |
Fresh water shark |
Balae |
Family : CLARIIDAE Genus : Clarias Scopoli 20 Clarias batrachus Linnaeus |
Magur |
Ane menu |
Order : Beloniformes Suborder : Belonoidei (= Exocoetoidei) Family : BELONIDAE Genus : Xenontodon Regan 21 Xenontodon cancila (Hamilton – Buchanan) |
Fresh water garfish |
Kokkare |
Family : HEMIRAMPHIDAE Genus : Hyporhamphus Gill 22 Hyporhamphus limbatus(Valenciennes) |
Gaimard's half -beak |
Surali |
Order : Cyprinodontiformes Family : APLOCHEILIDAE Subfamily : Aplocheilinae Genus : Aplocheilus McCelland 23 Aplocheilus lineatus (Valenciennes) |
Killi fish |
Moogu malli |
Order : Synbranchiformes Suborder : Mastacembeloidei Family : MASTACEMBELIDAE Subfamily : Mastacembelinae Genus : Mastacembelus Scopoli 24 Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepede) |
Spiny Eel |
Havu meenu |
Order : Perciformes Suborder : Gobioidei Family : GOBIIDAE Subfamily : Gobiinae Genus : Glossogobius Gill 25 Glossogobius giuris giuris(Hamilton-Buchanan) |
Tank goby |
Bhangi sidda |
Suborder : Anabantoidei Family : ANABANTIDAE Genus : A nabas Cuvier 26 Anabas testudineus (Bloch) |
Climbing perch |
Kooru meenu |
Family : BELONTIDAE Subfamily : Macropodinae Genus : Pseudosphromenus (Lacepede) 27 Pseudosphromenus cupanus (Valenciennes) |
Paradise fish |
Champarke |
Suborder : Channoidei Family : CHANNIDAE Genus : Channa Scopoli 28 Channa marulius (Hamilton – Buchanan) 29 Channa orientalis ( Schneider) 30 Channa striatus (Bloch) |
Giant Snake-head Asiatic Snake-head Stripped Snake head |
Avulu Mottu Kuch hu |
v.CRUSTACEA | |
Class: Crustacea | |
Subclass: Malacostraca | |
Order: Decapoda | |
Family: PALAEMONIDAE | |
1. Macrobrachium Spp. | |
2. Caridina Spp. | |
Family: POTAMONIDAE | |
3. Paratelphusa Spp. | |
vi. AMPHIBIA | |
Phylum: Chordata | |
Class: Amphibia | |
Order: Salentia | |
Suborder: Phaneroglossa | |
Family: RANIDAE | |
1. Rana cynophlyctes schnecider | |
vii. REPTILIA | |
Order: Testudinata | |
Family: TRIONYCHIDAE | |
1. Lissemys punctata (Bonnaterra) | |
Order: SquAmata | |
Family: COLUBRIDAE | |
Subfamily: Homalopsinae | |
2. Natrix piscator (Linnacus) | |
viii. AVES | |
Family: PHALACROCORACIDAE | |
1. Ahinga rufa mal anogaster | |
ix. AQUATIC MAMMALS | |
Family: LUTRINAE | |
1. Aonyx cinerea nirnai (Pocock) |
(b) Additionalinformation on species of significance:
Most common local name of the species (Languages) |
Indicated |
|
Scientific name of the species |
Indicated |
|
Habitat favoured |
Fast flowing clean water (Riverine) |
|
Value to local community |
Local people worship the fish and offer milk and rice as feed. |
|
Major uses/ill effects |
The fishes attract devotees and visitors |
|
Value of global relevance (as rare, threatened or endangered) |
Mahseer – Tor khudree has been declared as an endangered species ; hence protection to its population and habitat improvements are required |
(C) History of magnificant species / variety
Most common name of the species |
Mahseer |
Scientific name |
Tor khudree (Sykes) |
Most common local name of the variety |
Peruvol meenu (Devaru menu) |
Existing management authority |
Devotees of Bachanayaka daiva among local people and the Department of Fisheries |
Fish breeding season |
Post –monsoon |
Fishing methods (Types of nets used) |
Fishing is not allowed in Bachanayakanagundi |
Current level of abundance |
Fishes of all sizes and ages are seen |
Trend in abundance in the last 10-15/40-50 years |
Size and population of fish is on the decline |
Significant ecological processes influencing the species / variety | Not significant |
Significant man-induced processes influencing the species / variety | None |
Reasons for the ongoing change | Not noticeable |
Gainers : Internal / External | Environment |
Losers : Internal / External | None |
Desired change / desired future | Daily feeding of fishes |
Desired management system | Formation of a local protection and development committee |
Suggested component for a feasible management plan for the species / variety |
Marking of the ‘Hotspot' boundary and declaration as ‘Fish Sanctuary' |
MANAGEMENT |
Perspective of others |
Local people suggests protection of river bank and regulation of adjacent land from encroachment, modification and change of use. |
Perspective of investigators Desired and feasible pattern of management that should be promoted in the opinion of investigators. Suggested strategy for promoting this desired patterns of management and the communication needs for the purpose. |
The investigators feel the area of the ‘Hotspot' should be immediately demarcated and the river stretch declared as a ‘Fish Sanctuary' by the Department of Fisheries. Thereafter efforts should be made to feed the fishes regularly, protect them and prevent destructive dynamiting and related activities in the river stretch with the help of local people and the Departments of Government having concern. |
Cultural, religious, recreational, tourist significance of the hotspot |
The Hotspot is located near to Subramanya, a very famous pilgrim centre. The local people worship the fishes as sacred and protect. Hence a river side area can also be developed into a very attractive tourist spot. Steps to educate the public by organizing environmental awareness camps may be undertaken. |
Ecological evaluation of the Hotspot |
Bachanayakanagundi Hotspot should be conserved an developed as an important Biodiversity Conservation spot as well as tourist centre. |
Suggested follow up investigations |
Identify the breeding places of the focal species and its protection besides periodic observations on its population in habiting the Hotspot. |
Any other suggested follow up |
In the upstream of Bachanayakanagundi, on the same river, there exists a similar fish congregation spot in front of Durga Parameshwari Temple at Marakatha in Nalkur village. This spot is located at a distance of about 3 Km upstream and since the entire stretch of river Yenekal cover both the spots, may be declared as Fish Sanctuary. |