BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS OF KARNATAKA

	AQUATIC HOTSPOT Byramangala

	Setting \| Threats \| Knowledge Individuals \| Habitat \| Life Scape \| Management

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Name of the Hotspot	Byramangala Reservoir
Focal species	Once a source of rich fishery now only African catfish is thriving
Coordinating Team	Prof. Madhav Gadgil and his team
Investigating Team	S/Shri H.N. Chandrashekharaiah,M.F. Rahman, K. Sham Bhat and Dr.G.V.Kowtal
Dates of data collection	From 10.03.2004 to 12.03.2004
Process of data collection	Field visits and interviews.
Sources of information	B.S. Rajashekar, ADF (Rtd),Bangalore. Abdul Gani, Bidadi. Muniyappa, Bidadi. Raju, Bidadi. Venkataramanappa,Byramangala. Anjanappa, Byramangala. Thimmegowda, Byramangala.
Number of man-days consumed in data collection	8 man- days

TOP

SETTING

1. Location	Byramangala Reservoir, Byramangala, Bidadi, Ramanagaram Taluk,Bangalore Rural District.
2. Area (in ha or sq km)	412 ha.
3. Latitude / Longitude	Lat. : 12' 58'', Long: 77' 38''
4. Village / Town / Taluk / District	Byramangala/Bidadi/Ramanagaram/ Bangalore Rural.
5. Maps(kind of map and the scale)	Enclosed
6. Modes of Access	(Distance from Railway station /Bus station) 5 Kms. From Bidadi Railway / Bus station. Connected from Government and Private Bus services from Bangalore. 38 km from Bangalore.
7. Facilities to stay closest to the hotspot	There is a PWD travellers Bungalow at Byramangala; but easy to travel from Bangalore.
8. Tariff ( if any) to be paid to visit the hotspot	No
9. Controlling authorities	Department of Fisheries
10. Classes of Landscape	Agricultural lands surrounding the reservoir
11. Water body	Byramangala Reservoir. The reservoir water is highly polluted as it receives both industrial effluents and untreated sewage from the Bangalore Urban Area.
12. Human Population	2000
13. Presence of Scheduled tribes or Nomadic tribes population	SC - 100, ST - 50
14. Live stock	Cattle, Buffalos, Poultry, Piggery
15. Irrigation status and Major crops	Paddy, Ragi, Sunflower, Vegetables, Sugarcane, etc.
16. Significant forest produce	Nil
17. Quantities recorded at the Range or Divisional Forest offices	Nil
18. Cooperative Societies and their transactions	There was one Fishermen Cooperative Society at Byramangala having 180 members and is presently it is not functioning.
19. Significant fresh water fish productions	Few decades back, the reservoir was famous for fish production contributed by Indian major carps, exotic Common carp as also by indigenous fish species.
20. Disposal of fishing rights (Leasing / Auctioning / Licence)	By issuing fishing licences.
21. Significant estuarine / marine / shellfish productions	Not applicable.
22. Number and types of fishing craft / gear	Coracles and gears comprised of cashnets, gillnets of different mesh sizes drag nets, long-lines and rod and line and operated with or without the use of coracles.
23. Nearest fish landing centres	Near Travellers bungalow, Byramangala.
24. Availability of fish processing facilities	Nil. When the catches used to be good, they were sent to Bangalore Ramanagaram, Kanakapura etc for sale in fresh condition.
25. Mining and quarrying activities	Nil
26. Sources and extent of air and water pollution	Untreated domestic sewage of Bangalore city effluents of exide batteries, tanneries, textiles, soft drinks etc are released into the Vrishbhavati river which inturn enters the reservoir. The water in early 60s used to be good. Now it is polluted.
27. Prevalence of Human diseases	Itching, Malaria, etc.
28. Prevalence of Livestock diseases	Mouth and leg diseases in cattle.
29. Educational Institutions	Primary Upper Secondary and High School.
30. Cooperative Societies	Defunct Fishermen Cooperative Society, Byramangala.
31. Youth Clubs	Byramangala Youth Club
32. Ladies Clubs	Nil
33. Active NGO's	Nil

TOP

THREATS AND SUPPORTIVE RESTORATION ACTIVITIES

	Name of individual/ institution /agency	Activity with a positive influence on core area	Activity with a negative influence on core area
Local individuals	African catfish culturists	-	Banned fish is being cultured.
Local institutions	Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board.	Nayandanahalli (sewage treatment plant )	-
	Industries
	Fisheries Department
	PWD

The water of the reservoir is being used for agricultural and horticultural crop productions. The canals of the reservoir feed some tanks which are used for fish culture. There are also some excavated ponds created for raising fish.

TOP

LIST OF KNOWLEDGE INDIVIDUALS

*Name*	*Age*	*Sex*	*Community*	*Address of Expertise*
B.S. Rajashekar	65	Male	Hindu	Asst. Director of Fisheries (Retd)
Abdul Gani	64	Male	Muslim	Fish Merchant, Bidadi
Muniyappa	61	Male	Hindu	Fisherman, Bidadi
Raju	56	Male	Hindu	Fisherman, Bidadi
Kashinath Pai	53	Male	Hindu	Byramangala

TOP

HABITATS

(a)Preparation of sketchmap of the landscape
1. For zone of influence (upper)	Enclosed
2. For zone of influence (lower)	Enclosed
(b) Description of Habitat types
1. Habitat type	Byramangala reservoir is fed by Vrishbhavati river and is surrounded by agricultural fields. Villages surrounding the reservoir are Anchipura, Bannigere, Maregowdana doddi, Byramangala, Shanmangala, Kuntanahalli Parasamaplaya, Thimmegowdana doddi, Vrishbhavathipura.
2. Local name (if any)	Byramangala Jalashaya.
3. Approximate total area (ha)	412 ha
4. Special significance of the habitat type (if any)	It is being fed with polluted Vrishbhavati river as a result of which it has become highly polluted.
5.Management regimes	PWD and Department of Fisheries.
6. Goods and services provided by the habitat	The reservoir provides water for agricultural, horticultural etc needs of the area and for fisheries development in tanks which are connected by canals.
7. Bads and Disservices provided by the habitat	Reservoir is infested with water hyacinth and other weeds. Human population and livestock are affected.
8. Significant ecological processes influenced by habitat type	The constant flow of untreated sewage and factory effluents have affected the water quality and the depth is gradually decreased. Prolific growth of water hyacinth has affected water quality and thus fishes. The private parties have excavated ponds in the periphery of the reservoir for undertaking culture of African, catfish. These fishes have migrated into the reservoir and have effected the indigenous fishery.
9. Significant man-induced processes influenced by the habitat	As indicated above.
10. Interacting individuals and institutions (Local)	Fishermen, staff of the Departments of Fisheries, Agriculture, Horticulture and PWD.
11. Activities	The treatment plants should be established to treat the water before its release into the reservoir.
12. Interacting individuals and institutions (External)	Fishermen, Fish merchants and Departments of Fisheries, Agriculture, Horticulture and PWD.
13. Activities	There is one treatment plant established at Nayandanahalli to treat the effluents. No action is taken to prevent culture of African catfish in the ponds excavated in the vicinity of the reservoir.
(c)History of important habitat patches over 10-15/40-50 years
1. Type and name of the habitat patch	Byramangala reservoir constructed across river Vrishbhavathi.
2. Change in
i) Area	No significant change since the domestic sewage from Bangalore city and effluents from factories, / industries drains into the Vrishbhavathi river which are the source for Byramangala reservoir all through the year.
ii) Vegetation strata	Grass lands, agricultural, horticultural and patchy forest areas provides almost identical picture through out the year.
3. Aquatic habitat change in
i) catchment area	No significant change, except one treatment plant.
ii) Aquatic fauna	Fishery was once flourishing. Now, due to polluted condition, fish culture is totally stopped. Indigenous fauna have disappeared. African cat fish thrives in the reservoir.
4. Significant ecological processes influencing the habital patch	About 20 years back, the reservoir used to harbour varieties of fishes and was also contributing significantly in fish production. Presently, because of the pollutional threat, lot of changes towards degradation of the waterbody has occurred rendering it as nonproductive water body except for African cat fish and aquatic weeds.
5. Significant man-induced processes influencing the habitat patch	Pumping-in of considerable quantity of raw domestic and un-treated effluents from factories and industries has rendered the waterbody as a 'worn-out' habitat.
6. Productivity of Goods and Services	The water from the reservoir helps in the production of agricultural and horticultural crops and fishery.
7. Extent of Bads and Disservices	Loads of harmful ingredients being carried in by the untreated domestic sewage and effluents from the factories and industries, will not only harm the fishery of the reservoir, but also the agricultural and horticultural produce.
8. Reasons for ongoing changes	Flow of untreated domestic sewage and effluents from the factories and industries located in the upstream stretches into the river Vrishbhavathi and in the reservoir has caused enough damage to the ecology of the impoundment.
9. Gainers	Agriculturists and horticulturists in particular.
10. Losers	Department of Fisheries, Fishermen Fish merchants, Bird watchers, general public etc.,
11. Desired changes / Desired future	Letting in treated domestic sewage and effluents from factories and industries, clearance of aquatic weeds, debri, etc., may bring back favourable conditions of the reservoir.
12. Desired management system	A joint management effort of the industrial, agricultural, horticultural, fisheries and PWD managers only may create conducive conditions in the reservoir.
13. Suggested component for a feasible management plan for the habitat patch	The important factor that has created the adverse conditions in the water body is on account of discharge of untreated domestic sewage and industrial effluents. The accumulated debris and shallowness has caused profuse growth of aquatic plants, especially, water hyacinth. The entry of African catfish has also contributed in the depletion of indigenous fish fauna. Some fish ponds are excavated for the culture of African cat fish. To mitigate the situation, it is suggested that domestic sewage and factory effluents being discharged into the Vrishbhavathi river which is the main source of water to Byramangala reservoir Byramangala should be treated. Efforts should be made to desilt and deweed, check the population of African catfish and also prevail upon the individuals not to take up culture of African catfish. On the on-set of normal conditions prevail efforts may be made to rejuvinate the fishery by introducing indigenous fishes. There is one fish farm located adjacent to the reservoir, which is now defunct. The farm may be revived and action may be taken to raise the brood stock of the threatened / culturable fish species and breed them and organise stocking in the reservoir when once the reservoir is restored, for conservation practices. To monitor the aforesaid developmental programmes, a committee consisting of Jala Samvardhana Nigam, P.W.D, Taluk and Zilla Panchayat, Pollution Control Board, Department of Health, Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, Revenue may be constituted.

TOP

LIFE SCAPE

(a) Naturally occurring species of significance

i PLANKTON
PHYTOPLANKTON
	Myxophyceae: Spirulina
	Chlorophyceae: Spirogyra, Zygnema
	Bacillariophyceae: Synedra ,Fragillaria
ZOOPLANKTON
	Protozoa: Amoeba, Arcella
	Copepoda: Nauplius, Cyclops
	Rotifera: Keratella, Diaphnosoma, Filinia
	Cladocera: Daphnia, Ceriodaphnia
	Ostracoda: Cypris
ii BENTHOS
Insects
	Order: Odonata
	Suborder: Anisoptera
	Family: LIBELLULIDAE
	1. Urothemis signata (Rambur)
	Order: Hemiptera
	Family: NOTONECTIDAE
	2. Notgonecta glauca Linnaeus
	Family: NEPIDAE
	3. Hydrometra elongata Fabricius
	Family: BELOSTOMATIDAE
	4. Diplonychus annulatum Fabricius
	Family: CORIXIDAE
	5. Micronecta mercope Dist.
	Order: Diptera
	Family: CULICIDAE
	6. Culex spp.
	Family: CHIRONOMIDAE
	7. Chironomus sp
	Family: STRATIOMYIDAE
	8. Stratiomys sp.
MOLLUSCS
	Order: Bassomatophora
	Family: LYMANAEIDAE
	Genus: Lymnaea Lamarck
	9. Lymnaea luteola Lamarck
	Family: PLANORBIDAE
	Subfamily: Planorbinae s. str.
	Genus: Gyraulus Charpentier
	10. Gyraulus convexiusculus Hutton
FISH
	Order: Cyprinodontiformes
	Family: POECILIDAE
	Subfamily: Poecilinae
	Genus: Gambusia Poey
	11. Gambusia affinis (Baird & Girard)
	Genus: Poecilia Bloch
	12. Poecilia (Lebistes) reticulatus Schneider
iii AQUATIC WEEDS
	Family: ONOGRACEAE
	Genus: Jussiaea
	1. Jussiaea spp.
	Family: ACANTHACEAE
	Genus: Asteracantha
	2. Asteracantha longifolia Nees
	Family: PONTEDERIACEAE
	Genus: Eichhornia
	3. Eichhornia crassipes Solms
	Family: Lemnaceae
	Genus: Lemna
	4. Lemna minor Linnaeus
	Family: CYPERACEA
	Genus: Cyperus
	5. Cyperus distans Linnaeus

IV. FISHES :
	Scientific Name	Common Name	Kannada Name
	Order : Cypriniformes
	Family : CYPRINIDAE
	Subfamily : Danioninae (= Rasborinae)
	Tribe : Oxygasterini
	Genus : Salmostoma Swainson
1.	Salmostoma clupeiodes (Bloch) Tribe : Danionini Genus : Chela Hamilton-Buchanan	Black razor-belly minnow	Chalake
2.	Chela (Chela) cachius Hamilton-Buchanan Genus : Esomus Swainson	Silver hatchet chela	Borle menu
3.	Esomus danricus (Hamilton-Buchanan) Genus : Rasbora Bleeker	Flying Barb	Meese Pakke
4.	Rasbora daniconius (Hamilton-Buchanan) Genus : Amblypharyngodon Bleeker	Black - line Rasbora	Midun
5.	Amblypharyngodon mola ( Hamilton - Buchanan) Subfamily : Cyprininae Tribe : Cyprinini Subtribe : Cyprini Genus : Cyprinus Linnaeus	Mola carplet	Enapu pakke
6.	Cyprinus carpio communis Linnaeus	Common carp	Samany agende
7.	Cyprinus carpio specularis Lacepede Tribe : Systomini Subtribe : Systomi Genus : Puntius Hamilton-Buchanan	Mirror crap	Kannadi meenu
8.	Puntius chola (Hamilton-Buchanan)	Swampy barb	Dodda karse
9.	Puntius dorsalis (Jerdon)	Long – snout barb	Mooti gende
10.	Punitus puckelli (Day)	Puckelli Barb	Mooru pakke
11.	Puntius sophore (Hamilton-Buchanan)	Spot-fin swampy barb	Gud pakke
12.	Puntius ticto (Hamilton – Buchanan) Tribe : Labeonini Subtribe : Labeones Genus : Cirrhinus Oken	Ticto barb	Bud pakke
13.	Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton – Buchanan) Genus : Catla Valenciennes	Mrigal	Mrigal
14.	Catla catla (Hamilton – Buchanan) Genus : Labeo Cuvier	Catla	Catla
15.	Labeo rohita (Hamilton – Buchanan) Family : BALITORIDAE Subfamily : Nema cheilinae Genus : Schistura Mc Clelland	Rohu	Rohu
16.	Schistura denisoni denisoni (Day) Order : Siluriformes Family : BAGRIDAE Subfamily : Bagrinae Genus : Mystus Scopoli	Nemacheilus	Murangi
17.	Mystus cavasius (Hamilton – Buchanan)	Gangetic Mystus	Girlu
18.	Mystus vittatus (Bloch) Family : SILURIDAE Genus : Ompok Lacepede	Stripped Dwarf catfish	Chittu
19.	Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch) Family : CLARIIDAE Genus : Clarias Scopoli	Butter fish	Godle
20	Clarias batrachus Linnaeus	Magur	Ane meenu
21.	Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) Family : HETEROPNEUSTIDAE Genus : Heteropneustes Muller	African catfish	Ane meenu
22.	Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) Order : Cyprinodontiformes Family : POECILIDAE Subfamily : Poecilinae Genus : Gambusia Poey	Singhi	Chelu meenu
23.	Gambusia affinis (Baird & Girard) Genus : Poecilia Bloch	Mosquito fish	Gambusia
24.	Poecilia (Lebistes) reticulates Schneider Order : Porciformes Suborder : Gobioidei Family : GOBIIDAE Subfamily : Gobiinae Genus : Glossogobius Gill	Mosquito fish	Sole menu
25.	Glossogobius giuris giuris (Hamilton – Buchanan) Suborder : Channoidei Family : CHANNIDAE Genus : Channa Scopoli	Tank goby	Bhangi sidda
26.	Channa orientalis (Schneider)	Asiatic snake - head	Mottu
27.	Channa punctatus (Bloch)	Spotted snake - head	Korava
28.	Channa striatus (Bloch)	Stripped snake – head	Kuchu

Note : These species were recorded about 25 years back. Now only the African catfish is noticed.

V. CRUSTACEA
	Class: Crustacea
	Subclass: Malacostraca
	Order: Decapode
	Family: POTAMONIDAE
	1. Paratelphusa spp.
VI. AMPHIBIA
	Phylum: Chordata
	Class: Amphibia
	Order: Salentia
	Suborder: Phaneroglossa
	Family: RANIDAE
	1. Rana cynophylctes Schneider
VII. REPTILIA
	Order: Squamata
	Family: COLUBRIDAE
	Subfamily: Homalopsinae
	1. Natri piscator L.
VIII AVES
	Family: PHALACROCORACIDAE
	1. Ahinga rufa melanogaster
	Family: ARDEIDAE
	2. Ardeola grayii

TOP

(b) Additional information on species of significance:
Inflow of un-treated domestic sewage and harmful effluents from industries / factories has caused enough damage to the ecology of the reservoir, the result being, ill-effects on the survival and population of indigenous fish species as also on the introduced carp species. In addition, the reported availability of highly carnivorous exotic, African catfish- Clarias gariepinus in different size-groups is a danger signal towards the devastating effects of its occurrence and its role in the destruction and elimination of the aquatic fauna in general and fish in particular.

i)Most common local name of the species (Language)	Indicated.
ii) Scientific name of the species	Indicated.
iii) Habitat favoured	Ecologically normal aquatic conditions
iv) Value to local community	Availability of cheap protein food in the form of fish and improved ecological conditions in the reservoir.
v) Major uses / ill effects	Major uses being in the production of fish and improved ecological conditions of the water body. Any laxity on the part of concerned, will render this biotope into a 'bog' and of health hazard.
vi)Value of global reference(as rare, threatened or endangered)	Out of 204 freshwater fish species recorded from the State, majority of the forms indigenous to the drainages / rivers / reservoirs / tanks have drastically declined- both species-wise and in population. Byramangala reservoir is not an exception to this threat. To maintain biodiversity pattern and to provide all amenable avenues for the survival and propagation of these important indigenous fish genetic resources on the National / International norms, all efforts should be made to cater to the basic needs of clean water and hygienic conditions in the biotope.

TOP

(C) History of magnificant species / variety : NOT APPLICABLE

(D) History of significant species / varieties

1.	Most common name of the species	Indicated
2.	Scientific name	Indicated
3.	Most common local name of variety	Indicated
4.	Existing management authority	Department of Fisheries
5.	Fish breading season	June - August
6.	Fishing methods (Types of nets used)	Gillnets, cast nets, Rod and Line
7.	Existing management authority	Department of Fisheries
8.	Current level of abundance	Poor
9.	Trend in abundance in last	About 15-20 years back the production was of the order of about 200 tons per year. Gradually as the pollution level increased, the production has reduced. Now no fish is available except the African catfish.
10.	Significant ecological processes influencing the species / varieties	Siltation, encroachment , polluion and weed infestation has affected the fishery.
11.	Significant man-induced processes influencing the species / variety.	Discharge of untreated factory and domestic sewage is allowed to enter the reservoir. Water hyacinth has covered about ½ of the tank. The fishery is affected.
12.	Reasons for ongoing change	Urbanisation, establishment of factories, discharge of untreated effluents and domestic sewage.
13.	Gainers - Internal / External	Agriculturists and Horticulturists
14.	Losers - Internal / External	Fisheries Department / Fishermen Even the fish farm is constructed nearby is not being used on account of the polluted water.
15.	Desired changes / Desired future	The Irrigation Department / Lake Development Authority may take up restoration of the reservoir. Ever step to be taken to control African catfish as it is menace.
16.	Desired management system	As above
17.	Suggested component for a feasible management plan for the species/variety.	The reservoir should be restored by preventing entry of untreated effluents and sewage, check the growth of water hyacinth, control of African catfish. Necessary funds should be mobilized for the restoration of the reservoir. The committee consisting of officials from Irrigation Department, Horticulture, Fisheries, Villa Panchayat, Youth Club may be constituted to foresee development and management of the reservoir.

TOP

MANAGEMENT

a) Perspectives of Others
1.Desired response options of different of local or outside communities/institutions /government agencies / industrial or mining undertakings etc, to be recorded	Public desires that measures should be taken to restore the water quality of the reservoir.
2. Significance of management issues and response options	Water Supply and Sewage Board should install more treatment plants. Pollution control board should strictly enforce treatment of factory effluents before their release.
3. Management issues pertaining to
a) Habitat and / or Species / variety	The quality of water requires improvement. Aquatic weeds should be eradicated. There after only fisheries development could be planned.
4. Customary / Administrative	The untreated sewage and effluents are discharged. Only a small quantity of sewage is treated. The Pollution Control Board, Irrigation Department, Revenue Department and Department of Fisheries may manage the reservoir
5. Since how long the arrangements have been in practice	For the last 10-15 years
6. Changes, if any, in management pattern over last 10-15/ 40-50 years	Nil
7. Desired changes / Desired future	As at 6 (a)- 2 above
8. Desired management system	As above
b) Perspective of Investigators	All out efforts should be made to effect better ecological conditions in the reservoir to provide hygiene and health not only to the people, but also to its flora and fauna.
c) Desired and feasible pattern of management that should be promoted in the opinion of the investigators	Release of only the treated domestic sewage, effluents from factories / industries, removal of obnoxious aquatic weeds, elimination of exotic catfish, providing ideal conditions for the growth and propagation of native fish species and culture of amenable gangetic carps should be considered on top priority.
d) Suggested strategy for promoting this desired patterns of management and the communication needs for the purpose	The Departments of Industries, Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries and Health should work together to achieve this goal as envisaged earlier. Salvation and propagation of threatened indigenous fish species should be accorded top priority.
(e). Cultural, religious, recreational, scenic, tourist significance of the hot spot	Nil
(f). Ecological evaluation of the hot spot	Byramangala reservoir is an important 'Hotspot' that desires to be protected from all sorts of hazardous onslaughts. The water body, not only provides aesthetic beauty and scenic spot to the tourist, but as an educative avenue also to the bird watchers, for fisheries research and development and also to produce agricultural and horticultural crops.
g. Suggested follow up investigations	Release of only treated domestic sewage and industrial effluents, prevention of spraying of harmful pesticides on agricultural crops, removal of aquatic weeds and debris, to undertake aqua- cultural practices by introducing compatible fish species and to maintain bio diversity pattern of indigenous flora and fish fauna complimentary to each other.
10. Any other suggested follow up	A cell represented by each Department should be constituted to look into the needs and to maintain health and improved ecological conditions of the reservoir.

TOP