AQUATIC
HOTSPOT
Chaya-Bhagawathi |
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION |
Name of the Hotspot |
Chaya - Bhagawathi Falls |
Focal species |
Tor khudree (Skyes) Anguilla bengalensis, P. pulchellus, |
Coordinating team |
Dr. Madhav Gadgil and team |
Investigating team |
H.N. Chandrashekharaiah, M.F. Rahman, K. Sham Bhat and Dr.G.V. Kowtal |
Date of data collection |
23.02.2004 to 25.02.2004 |
Process of data collection |
Field visits and interviews |
Source of information |
Shri. Jagirdar. Asst. Director of Fisheries, Narayanpur. |
Shri. Dasappa S/o Basappa Fisherman. Shri Yellappa S/o Bylappa Fisherman. Shri Shankrappa S/o Hanumantha Fisherman. Shri. Mudyeppa S/o Chandappa, Fishermen, Narayanpur. Shri Basha Saheb, Fish Merchant Bijapur. Shri. Hanumantha, Fisherman. Shri. Basappa Fisherman. Shri. Yelagur Dasappa Fisherman. Shri. Katti mani, Fisherman. Shri. Masooba Kattimani Fishermen Almatti. Shri. Haji Malang, Fish Merchant, Almatti. |
|
Number of man-days consumed in data collection |
25 man days. |
SETTING |
Location |
Chaya bhagawathi Falls in river Krishna located at a distance 6 km from Narayanpur dam (lower reaches). |
Area (in ha, or sq / km) |
20 km of the river stretch |
Latitude / Longitude / Altitude |
Lat. 16' 19'' / Long. 76' 08'' Alt. |
Village/ Town / Taluk / District |
Narayanput / Narayanpur/ Shorapur / Gulbarga. |
Maps (Kind of maps and the scale |
Enclosed |
Mode of access (Distance from Railway station / Bus station ) |
62 km from Bijapur 38 km from Muddebihal |
Facilities to stay closest to the Hotspot |
Inspection Bungalow, Irrigation Department, Narayanpur. |
Tariff (if any) to be paid to visit the Hotspot |
Nil |
Controlling authorities |
Department of Fisheries |
Classes of landscape |
Rocky riverine course with deep pools. |
Water bodies |
River Krishna |
Human populations |
3000 |
Presence of scheduled tribes or Nomadie tribes population |
SCs / 130 STs / 300 |
Livestock |
Cattle, Goats, Piggery, Poultry. |
Irrigation status and major corps |
Paddy, Jowar, Bajra, Pulses, Groundnut, Cotton, |
Significant forest produce |
Nil |
Quantities recorded at the Range or Divisional Forest offices. |
Nil |
Cooperative Societies and their transactions | Surpur Fishermen Cooperative Society. |
Significant freshwater fish productions |
Catch comprised of indigenous carps, catfishes, weed fishes, exotic fishes, to mention few Tor khudree . P. pulchellus, etc. |
Disposal of fishing rights (Leasing / Auctioning / Licences) |
By licences on an annual fee of Rs.130/- per fisherman |
Significant estuarine / marine fish / shellfish productions |
Not applicable to the area |
Number and types of fishing crafts |
Caracles - 20, Inflated tyre tubes - 25 |
Nearest fish landing centre |
Narayanpur |
Availability of fish processing facilities |
Not existing since the fish in fresh condition is being sold locally and at fish markets at Muddebihal and Bijapur. In case of large catches, it is sent to Mumbai, Kolkatta, & Belgaum. |
Mining and quarrying activities |
Nil |
Sources and extent of air and water pollution |
Nil |
Prevalent of human diseases |
Not reported |
Prevalence of livestock diseases |
Mouth and leg diseases in cattle |
Educational Institutions |
Nursery - 1 Primary - 1 Secondary - 1 Higher Secondary 1 |
Cooperative Society |
Fishermen of the area are members of Surpur Fishermen Cooperative Society. Villages and fisherman adjoining to the Hotspot Jaladurga 100 houses , 25 fishermen Devanagudi 200 houses, 30 fishermen Halbavi - 300 houses, 20 fishermen Narayanapur 600 houses, 30 fishermen |
Youth clubs |
Nil |
Ladies clubs |
Nil |
Active NGO |
Nil |
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 |
Activity with a positive influence on zone of influence |
Activity with a negative influence on zone of influence |
|
Local individuals |
Local people |
Dynamiting |
Nil |
Fishes are killed in large scale |
|
Local institutions |
Surpur fishermen cooperative society |
Nil |
Members of the society engaging fishing |
Fishing is conducted through out the year. No restriction on mesh of the fishing nets used by them. |
|
Outside individuals |
- |
Dynamiting poaching |
Nil |
Fishes are indiscriminately Killed |
|
Outside institutions |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Government agencies |
Department of fisheries |
Manages the river course issuing licences |
No proper check is forced on the types (mesh size) of nets and to safeguard the fishery. |
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Industrial, mining companies, etc |
Irrigation Department |
Reduced flow of water on account of construction of Dams |
Fishes are subjected to heavy poaching due to reduced flow of water |
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Any other agency |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
LIST OF KNOWLEDGE INDIVIDUALS |
Name |
Age |
Sex |
Community |
Address |
Shri . Jagirdar |
57 |
M |
- |
Asst. Director of Fisheries Narayanapur . |
Shri Basappa |
30 |
M |
Fisherman, |
|
Shri. Yellappa |
45 |
M |
Fisherman, |
|
Shri. Shankrappa |
52 |
M |
Fisherman, |
|
Shri. Mudyeppa |
48 |
M |
Fisherman, |
|
Shri. Hanumantha |
38 |
M |
Fisherman, |
|
Shri. Basappa |
25 |
M |
Fisherman, |
|
Shri. Yelagur Dasappa |
56 |
M |
Fisherman, |
|
Shri. Kattimani |
60 |
M |
Fisherman, |
|
Shri. Masooba kattimani |
62 |
M |
Fisherman, |
|
Shri. Basha saheb |
54 |
M |
Muslim |
Fish merchant Bijapur |
Shri. Haji Malang |
48 |
M |
Muslim |
Fish merchant Almatti |
HABITATS |
A Preparation of sketch map of the landscape |
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1 |
For zone of influence Ustream |
Enclosed |
2 |
For zone of influence Down stream |
Enclosed |
B |
Description of Habitat types |
|
1 |
Habitat name |
Riverine Chaya bhagawathi Falls |
2 |
Local name (if any) |
Chaya- bhagawathi Falls |
3 |
Approximate total area (ha.) |
20 Km river stretch |
4 |
Special significance of the habitat type (if any) |
Water flows in rocky terrain, through deep pools |
5 |
Management regimes |
The Department of Fisheries is issuing licences for fishing. All types of gears are operated using coracles and inflated tubes. |
6 |
Goods and services provided by the habitat |
River provides shelter for threatened fish species including other indigenous fishes. |
7 |
Bads and Disservices provided by the habitat |
Nil |
8 |
Significant ecological processes influenced by the habitat type |
Nil |
9 |
Significant man induced processes influenced by the habitat |
The construction dams at Almatti and Narayanpur in the upper reaches of Chaya, bhagawathi Falls have influenced the flow of water. Water is not let out for maintaining normal flow in the river stretch. During summer months, due to low level of water in the river and pools, indiscriminate fishing is carried out by fishermen besides dynamiting. |
10 |
Interacting individuals and institutions (Local) |
Irrigation Department Fisheries Department |
11 |
Activities |
No Conservation Activity fishing is conducted through out the year with out following any conservation practices. |
12 |
Interacting individuals and institutions (External) |
Visitors resort to dynamiting. |
13 |
Activities |
Kills fish in large scale |
C |
History of important habitat |
|
1 |
Type and name of the habitat patch |
Riverine, Chaya bhagawathi Falls |
2 |
Change in :- |
|
i. |
Area |
Not significant (water flow is reduced) |
ii. |
Vegetation strata |
Over the riverine stretch, only wild shrubs, herbs and few trees could be abserved |
3. |
Aquatic habitat change in :- |
|
i. |
Catchment area |
Not significant |
ii. |
Aquatic fauna |
Marked decline in fish composition and fishery |
iii. |
Aquatic flora |
Not significant |
4. |
Significant ecological processes influencing the habitat patch |
The flow of water is reduced. Fishes congregate in pools and then they are subjected for easy harvest. |
5 |
Significant man induced processes influencing the habitat patch |
The construction of Almatti and Narayanapur dams have affected the flow regime of the water and this has made fishes vulnerable to be caught when water level is least. |
6. |
Productivity of goods and services |
Fishes caught are partly consumed locally and the rest are sent to Bijapur and Muddebihal, etc. |
7. |
Extent of Bads and Disservices |
During low level of water the fishes, are caught easily. |
8. |
Reasons for ongoing changes |
Failure of rainfall, construction of Almatti and Narayanapur Dams has resulted in reduced flow of water. |
9. |
Gainers |
Fishermen, public |
10. |
Losers |
Nature |
11. |
Desired change / Desired future Lupto a distance |
The area from the Chaya bhagawathi falls, of about 6 Km may be declared as Sanctuary. Fishing near the site in river should be totally banned. |
12 |
Desired management system |
The Fisheries Department may take immediate action to declare the area as a Fish Sanctuary' and prevent fishing. |
13 |
Suggested component for a feasible management plan for that habitat patch |
1 From the tip of the dam of Narayanpur to a distance of 2 Km fishing should be prohibited 2. From the Chaya bhagawathi falls 5 Km in lower reaches of river Krishna may be declared as fish sanctuary 3. Replenish the stocks of endangered fish species in the sanctuary. 4. Dynamiting and poisoning should be prevented. 5. A Committee of the concerned Departments may be constituted to foresee development and protection of the area. |
LIFE SCAPE |
a. Naturally occurring species of significance : -
i. PLANKTON | ||||
PHYTOPLANKTON | ||||
Chlorophyceae | ||||
Spirogyra | ||||
Zygnema | ||||
Ulothrix | ||||
Bacillariophyceae | ||||
Synedra | ||||
Fragillaria | ||||
Cosmarium | ||||
ZOOPLANKTON | ||||
Copepoda:Cyclops | ||||
Cladocera:Daphnia | ||||
Ceriodaphnia | ||||
ii. BENTHOS | ||||
Insects | ||||
Order : Odonata | ||||
Suborder : Anisoptera | ||||
Family : LIBELLULIDAE | ||||
1.Urothemis signata | ||||
Molluscs : | ||||
Class : Gastropoda | ||||
Subclass : Prosobranchia | ||||
Order : Mesogastropoda | ||||
Family : VIVIPARIDAE | ||||
SubFamily : Bellamyinae | ||||
Genus | ||||
2. Bellamya | ||||
Family : THAIRIDAE | ||||
SubFamily : Thiarinae | ||||
Genus : Thiara | ||||
SubGenus : Thiara | ||||
3. Thiara | ||||
SubGenus: Melanoides | ||||
4. Thiara | ||||
Class | ||||
Subclass : Paleoheterodonta | ||||
Order : Unionida | ||||
Family : UNIONIDAE | ||||
SubFamily : Unioninae | ||||
Genus : Lamellidens | ||||
5. Lamellidens | ||||
6. Lamellidens | ||||
Fish | ||||
Order : Cypriniformes | ||||
Family : CYPRINIDAE | ||||
SubFamily : Danioninae | ||||
Tribe : Danionini | ||||
Genus | ||||
7. Rasbora | ||||
Tribe : Systomini | ||||
Subtribe : Systomi | ||||
Genus | ||||
8. Puntius | ||||
Family : BALITORIDAE | ||||
SubFamily : Nemacheilinae | ||||
Genus | ||||
9. Nemacheilus | ||||
Order : Cyprinodontiformes | ||||
Family : APLOCHEILIDAE | ||||
SubFamily : Aplocheilinae | ||||
Genus | ||||
10. Aplocheilus | ||||
Order : Perciformes | ||||
SubOrder : Gobioidei | ||||
Family : GOBIIDAE | ||||
SubFamily : Gobiinae | ||||
Genus | ||||
11. Glossogobius giuris | ||||
(Hamilton | ||||
Crustacea : | ||||
Class : Crustacea | ||||
Subclass : Malacostraca | ||||
Order : Decapoda | ||||
Family : PALAEMONIDAE | ||||
12. Macrobrachium spp. | ||||
Family : POTAMONIDAE | ||||
13. Paratelphusa spp. | ||||
Amphibia : | ||||
Phylum | ||||
Class : Amphibia | ||||
Order : Salentia | ||||
SubOrder : Phaneroglossa | ||||
Family : RANIDAE | ||||
14. Ranacynophlyctes | ||||
iii. AQUATIC WEEDS | ||||
Family : CYPERACEA | ||||
Genus : Cyperus | ||||
1. Cyperus | ||||
iv. FISH | ||||
Scientific Name |
Common English Name |
Kannada Name | ||
Order : Osteoglossiformes Suborder : Notopteroidei Family : NOTOPTERIDAE Genus : Notopterus Lacepede 1. Notopterus notopterus (Pallas ) |
Feather back |
Chamari |
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Order : Anguilliformes Suborder : Anguilloidei Family : ANGUILLIDAE Genus : Anguilla Schrank 2. Anguilla bengalensis bengalensis (Gray & Hardw.) |
Indian Long-fin Eel |
Malaga |
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Order : Cypriniformes Family : CYPRINIDAE Subfamily: Danioninae (Rasborinae) Tribe : Oxygasterini Genus : Salmostoma Swainson 3. Salmostoma acinaces (Valenciennes) 4. Salmostoma clupeoides (Bloch) 5. Salmostoma novacula (Valenciennes) 6. Salmostoma phulo phulo (Hamilton Buchanan) 7. Salmostoma untrachi (Day) |
Black razor belly minnow Novacula razor - belly minnow Fine-scale razor belly minnow Mahanadi razor -belly minnow |
Chalake Chalake Chalake Chalake |
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Genus : Barilius (Hamilton-Buchanan) 8. Barilius barna (Hamilton Buchanan) 9. Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton Buchanan) |
Barna Baril Hamilton's Baril |
Bilchi Bilchi |
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Tribe : Danionini Genus : Chela Hamilton - Buchanan 10 Chela (Chela) cachius (Hamilton Buchanan) |
Silver Hatchat chela | Borle menu | ||
Genus : Esomus Swainson 11 Esomus danricus Hamilton Buchanan) |
Flying Barb | Meese Pakke | ||
Genus : Danio Hamilton-Buchanan 12. Danio aequipinnatus (McCelland) |
Giant Danio | Arshina Patte | ||
Genus : Rasbora Bleeker 13. Rasbora daniconius (Hamilton - Buchanan) |
Black line Rasbora | Midun | ||
Genus : Amblypharyngodon Bleeker 14. Amblypharyngodon mola (Hamilton-Buchanan) |
Mola carplet | Enapu Pakke | ||
Subfamily: Cyprininae Tribe : Cyprinini Subtribe : Cyprini Genus : Cyprinus Linnaeus 15. Cyprinus carpio communis Linnaeus |
Common carp | Samanya gende | ||
Subtribe : Tores Genus : Tor Gray 16. Tor khudree (Sykes) |
Deccan Mahseer | Bili-meenu | ||
Tribe : Systomini Subtribe : Osteobramae Genus : Osteobrama Heckel 17. Osteobrama cotio peninsularis Silas 18. Osteobrama vigorsii (Sykes) |
Peninsular | Parake | ||
Osteobrama Bheema Osteobrama |
Parake | |||
Subtribe : Systomi Genus : Puntius Hamilton-Buchanan 19. Puntius guganio (Hamilton- Buchanan) 20. Puntius pulchellus (Day) 21. Puntius sarana sarana (Hamilton Buchanan) 22. Puntius sophore (Hamilton Buchanan) 23. Puntius ticto (Hamilton Buchanan) 24. Puntius vittatus Day |
Glass barb Pulchellus Olive Barb Spot-fin swampy barb Ticto Barb Kooli Barb |
Pakke Haragi Gende Gud Pakke Bud Pakke Karse |
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Genus : Gonoproktopterus Bleeker 25. Gonoproktopterus kolus (Sykes) |
Kolus |
Kolasa |
||
Tribe : Labeonini Subtribe : Labeones Genus : Cirrhinus Oken 26. Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton-Buchanan) 27. Cirrhinus reba (Hamilton Buchanan) |
Mrigal Reba |
Mrigal Arja |
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Genus : Catla Valenciennes 28. Catla catla (Hamilton - Buchanan) |
Catla |
Catla |
||
Genus : Labeo cuvier 29 Labeo bata (Hamilton Buchanan) 30. Labeo calbasu (Hamilton Buchanan) 31. Labeo fimbriatus (Bloch) 32. Labeo gonius (Hamilton Buchanan) 33. Labeo potail (Sykes) 34. Labeo rohita (Hamilton Buchanan) |
Bata Calbasu Fimbriatus Labeo Potail Rohu |
Bata Kage Kem-meenu Machalu Hoo-bali Rohu |
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Genus : Schismatorhynchus Bleeker 35 Schismatorhynchus (Nukta) nukta (Sykes) |
Nukta |
Mukurti |
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Subfamily : Oreininae Genus : Garra Hamilton-Buchanan 36 Garra gotyla stenorhynchus (Jerdon) |
Nilgiri Garra |
Kallu korava |
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Family : BALITORIDAE Subfamily: Memacheilinae Genus : Nemacheilus Bleeker 37 Nemacheilus anguilla Annandale |
Nemacheilus |
Murangi |
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Genus : Oreonectes Gunther 38 Oreonectes (Oreonectes) evazardi (Day) |
Nemacheilus |
Murangi |
||
Subfamily: Cobitinae Genus : Lepidocephalus Bleeker 39. Lepidecephalus thermalis(Valenciennes) |
Nemacheilus |
Murangi |
||
Order : Siluriformis Family : BAGRIDAE Subfamily: Ritinae Genus : Rita Bleeker 40. Rita gogra (Sykes) 41. Rita Pavimentata (Valencinnes) |
Deccan Rita Gogra Rita |
Gokra Arshina Goggarike |
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Subfamily: Bagrinae Genus : Mystus Scopoli 42. Mystus cavasius (Hamilton-Buchanan 43. Mystus krishnensis Ramakrishaniah 44. Mystus Vittatus (Bloch) |
Gangetic Mystus Krishna Mystus Mystus |
Girlu Haddu menu Girlu |
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Genus : Aorichthys Wu 45. Aorichthys aor (Hamilton Buchanan) 46. Aorichthys seenghala (Sykes) |
Long-whiskered catfish Giant river catfish |
Kappu-suragi Bili- Suragi |
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Family : SILURIDAE Genus : Ompok Lacepede 47. Ompok bimacultus (Bloch) |
Butterfish |
Godle |
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Genus : Wallagi Bleeker 48 Wallago attu (Schneider) |
Fresh water Shark |
Balae |
||
Family : SCHILBEIDAE Subfamily: Schilbeinae Genus : Proeutropiichthys Hora 49 Proeutropiichthys taakree taakree (Sykes) |
Indian Taakree | Halathi | ||
Genus : Neotropius Kulkarni 50 Neotropius khavalchor Kulkarni |
Khavalchor |
Ili meenu |
||
Gensu : Silonia Swainson 51 Silonia childreni (Sykes) |
White catfish |
Bili-Halathi |
||
Family : SISORIDAE Genus : Bagarius Bleeker 52 Bagarius yarrelli Sykes |
Goonch |
Kurdi |
||
Family : CLARIIDAE Genus : Clarias Scopoli 53 Clarias batrachus Linnaeus |
Magur |
Ane menu |
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Family : HETEROPNEUSTIDAE Genus : Heteropneustes Muller 54. Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) |
Singhi |
Chelu menu |
||
Order : cyprinodontiformes Family : APLOCHEILIDAE Subfamily: Aplocheilinae Genus : Aplocheilus McClelland 55. Aplocheilus lineatus (Valenciennes) |
Killi fish |
Moggu malli |
||
Family : POECILIDAE Subfamily: Poecilinae Genus : Gambusia Poey 56. Gambusia affinis (Baird & Girard) |
Gambusia |
Gambusia |
||
Order : Synbranchiformes Suborder : Mastacembeloidei Family : MASTACEMBELIDAE Subfamily: Mastacembelinae Genus : Mastacembelus Scopoli 57. Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepede) |
Spiny Eel |
Havu menu |
||
Order : Perciformes Suborder : Percoidei Family : CHANDIDAE (=AMBASSIDAE) Genus : Chanda Hamilton-Buchanan 58. Chanda nama Hamilton Buchanan |
Glass perchlet |
Bachinke |
||
Genus : Parambassis Bleeker 59 Parambassis ranga (Hamilton- Buchanan) |
Glass fish |
Bachinke |
||
Suborder : Labroidei Family : CICHLIDAE Genus : Oreochromis Gunther 60 Oreochromis mossambica Peters |
Tilapia |
Tilapia |
||
Suborder : Gobioidei Family : GOBIIDAE Subfamily: Gobiinae Genus : Glossogobius Gill 61. Glossogobius giuris giuris(Hamilton Buchanan) |
Tank Goby |
Bhangi-sidda |
||
Suborder : Channoidei Family : CHANNIDAE Genus : Channa Scopoli 62. Channa marulius (Hamilton Buchanan) 63. Channa orientalis (Schneider) 64. Channa punctatus (Bloch) 65. Channa striatus (Bloch) |
Giant snaker -head Asiatic snake -head Spotted snake head Stripped snake -head |
Avulu Mottu Korava Kuchchu |
||
v. CRUSTACEA |
Class : Crustacea Subclass : Malacostraca Order : Decapoda Family : PALAEMONIDAE 1. Macrobrachium spp. |
|||
Family : POTAMONIDAE
2. Paratelphusa spp 3. Paratelphusa spp |
||||
vi AMPHIBA : | ||||
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Amphibia Order : Salentia Suborder : Phaneroglossa Family : RANIDAE 1. Rana cynophlyctes Schneider |
||||
vii. REPTILIA |
Order : Squamata Family : COLUBRIDAE Subfamily : Homalopsinae 1. Natrix piscator (Linnaeus) |
|||
viii. AVES |
Family : PHALACROCORACIDAE 1. Ahinga rufa |
|||
(b) Additional information on species of significance:
Most common local name of the species (Languages) |
Indicated |
Scientific name of the species |
Indicated |
Habitat favoured |
Riverine |
Value to local community |
As food value |
Major uses / ill effects |
1. Fishermen earn their livelihood 2. Depletion of fish stocks |
Value of Global relevance (as rare, threatened of endangered) |
Out of 65 fish species listed, around 18 species are under threatened category |
(C) History of magnificant species / variety
Most common name of the species |
Indicated |
Scientific name |
Indicated |
Most common local name of species |
Indicated |
Existing management authority |
Department of Fisheries |
Fish breeding season |
June December |
Fishing methods |
Gillnets, Long-line, rod and line |
Current level of abundance |
Moderate |
Trend in abundance in last 10-15 / 40-50 years |
Fishery is subjected to depletion on account of indiscriminate fishing, dynamiting and poisoning . |
Significant ecological processes influencing the species |
Reduced flow of water in the river course has resulted in easy catch for the fishermen as they take shelter in pools . |
Significant man-induced processes influencing the species |
The construction of Almatti and Narayanapur dams have affected the migration of fishes, inundation of breeding grounds and riverine fishery. |
Reasons for the ongoing changes |
The construction of Almatti and Narayanapur dams have affected the migration of fishes, inundation of breeding grounds and riverine fishery. |
Gainers Internal / External |
Public, fishermen, fisher merchants, etc. |
Losers Internal / External |
Habitat |
Desired changes / Desired future |
Declare 5 Km lower stretch area from Chaya bhagawathi falls as fish sanctuary. Fishing should be strictly prohibited. Threatened fish species may be rehabilitated. Fishermen should be educated and lease of reservoirs for them may be considered. |
Desired management system |
A Committee of Officer of the Department of Irrigation, P.W.D, Forest, Fisheries, Tourism may be constituted to foreseen the development of the area besides Protecting the fish fauna . |
Suggested component for a feasible management plan for the species |
The threatened fish species may be rehabilitated, both in reservoirs and pools of the Chaya - bhagawathi falls for perpetuation. Protect from poaching. Declare the area as Fish Sanctuary |
MANAGEMENT |
(a) Perspectives of others
a. |
Perspective of others : - |
|
1 |
Desired response options of different members of local or outside communities / institutions / government agencies / industrial or mining undertaking etc. |
There is abundant scope for the conservation of fish species and also for the development of fisheries in reservoirs. The resources available should be purposefully utilized |
2. |
Significance of management issues and response options |
Indiscriminate fishing reduced flow of water in river has resulted in poor management of fishery . Therefore action should be taken to declare the area as sanctuary and also arrange for the release of adequate water into the river to protect the pools inhabitated by the fish species of the river. |
3 |
Management issues pertaining |
|
a |
Habitat and or |
Nil |
b |
Species |
18 species have reached the threatened condition. They have to be rehabilitated are protected |
4 |
Customer / Administrative |
The Department of Fisheries is leasing the reservoirs and river stretches for fisheries development and exploitation. The pools are very much subjected to exploitation during summer months. |
5. |
Since how long the arrangements have bee in practice |
For the last 10 years |
6 |
Changes, if any, in management pattern over last 10-15 / 40-50 years |
Nil |
7. |
Desired changes / Desired future |
The area may be declared as Fish Sanctuary - 200 mts above Chaya - bhagawathi Falls and 5 km down stream of river. Fishing should be strictly prohibited upto a distance of 2 Km from the tip of the dam (lower reaches). |
8 |
Desired management system |
1 Declare the area as Fish Sanctuary 2 Prevent fishing, dynamiting, poisoning , etc. 3 Constitute a Committee to look into the over-all Development and protect the fisheries. |
b |
Perspectives of Investigators |
There are about 18 pools located in lower reaches of the Chaya - bhagawathi Falls where fish congregate during summer months. Most important species, found in the area, have reached threatened condition. In the interest of protecting the fish species, the area should be declared as Sanctuary. Organize rehabilitation of threatened fish species by raising the brood stock in near - by Narayanpur fish farm, where adequate facilities are available and breed them. The juveniles may be stocked in the sanctuary area. |
c |
Desired and feasible pattern of management that should be promoted in the opinion of the investigators. |
As in 6 (b) |
d |
Suggested strategy for promoting this desired patterns of management and the communication needs for the purpose |
1 Educate fishermen about the importance of conservation of fish species. 2 Department of Fisheries should collect the brood stock of threatened species, raise them in Narayanpur fish farm and produce their young ones and introduce the produce into the sanctuary area and reservoirs . 3 A Committee may be constituted represented by concerned departments to organize, development and for the protection of the fish species inhabiting the Hotspot. |
e |
Cultural, religious, recreational, scenic, tourist significance of the hotspot. |
Religious : A temple of Chaya -bhagawathi Devi is located adjacent to the river is being held. An annual fair is being held. Tourists visit both the dam and the Falls. |
f |
Ecological evaluation of the Hotspot |
The construction of two dams in the upper reaches have resulted in reduced flow of water; migration of fishes is affected, breeding grounds are in undated, formation of reservoirs have affected the ecological condition of fishery. |
g |
Suggested follow up investigation |
1 Fish fauna of the area may be studied. 2 Breed the threatened fish species and replenish the stocks . 3 Educate fishermen about the effect of indiscriminate fishing, need for conservation, prevent catching brood stock and fishing only after monsoon period. |
h |
Any other suggested follow up |
Immediate action may be taken by the Deptartment of fisheries to declare Chaya - bhagawathi Falls area as a Fish Sanctuary. Replenish threatened fish species. Make fishermen and public aware of the importance of conservation of fish fauna . |