Name of the Hotspot

HEGGERI TANK

Focal species

Carps (Introduced) and indigenous fish species.

Coordinating Team

Dr. Madhav Gadgil and team

Investigating Team

Shri. H.N. Chandrashekharaiah,

Shri.M.F. Rahman, Shri. K. Sham Bhatt and Dr. G.V. Kowtal.

Dates of data collection

From 13.04.2004 to 14.04.2004

Process of data collection

Field visits and interviews

Source of information

•  Shri. Vasanth, G. Hegde, Assistant Director of Fisheries, Haveri.

•  Shri. Lakshman Eidigar, Chairman, Keremattihalli, Fishermen Co-operative Society, Keremattihalli.

•  Shri Nagappa Shivananda Bhajantari.

•  Shri Supatrappa Honnappa Barki

•  Shri Dyamanna Bharmappa Barki

•  Shri. Rameshappa Bharmadyeppa Barki

•  Shri Bannayappa Basappa Barki

•  Shri Basappa Nagappa Bhajantari

•  Shri Chandrappa Killi-Kyatha

•  Shri Ramanna Yellappa

•  Shri.AD Belvatgi, Fieldman, Dharwar.

•  Shri Basavaraj Haveri, Driver, Dharwar

•  Dr. John Deodhar, Haveri.

•  Dr. Madhuri J. Deodhar, Haveri

•  Secretary, Fisherman Cooperative Society.

Number of man-days consumed in data collection

16 (Sixteen) man- days.

Location

Heggeri tank is located at a distance of 1.5 km from Haveri adjacent to the Belgaum-Bangalore by-pass road.

Area (in ha )

82.47 ha

Latitude / Longitude / Altitude.

Lat : 14' 48'', Long : 75' 28'', Alt : 567 MSL

Village/Town/ Taluk/ District

Keremattihalli/Haveri/Haveri/Haveri

Maps (kind of map and scale)

Sketch map of the tank is enclosed

Mode of access (Distance from Railway/Bus station)

Railway Station, Haveri to the tank-2.5 kms, Bus station, Haveri to the tank – 1.5 Kms.

Facilities to stay closest to the Hotspot

Inspection and Travellers Bungalows, PWD and Private lodges

Tariff (if any) to be paid to visit the Hotspot

Nil

Controlling authorities

Department of Fisheries who have leased the tank on 1 year basis to Keremattihalli Fisherman Cooperative Society, Haveri

Classes of Landscape

Village, agricultural lands and National Highway No.4 by-pass is laid in the middle of the tank.

Water bodies

The tank is reported to be perennial but, since few years, has become long season because of failure of rains.

Human population

2.20 Lakhs

Presence of Scheduled Tribes or Nomadic Tribes population.

SC-27,200

ST – 6,400

Irrigation status and major crops

Agriculture dominated area and the produce being Rice, Wheat, Bajra, Maize, Ragi, Pulses, Sugarcane, Chillies, Cotton, Fruits and Vegetables.

Significant forest produce

Nothing significant

Quantities recorded at the Range or Divisional Forest Offices

Nil

Co-Operative Societies and their transactions

Keremattihalli Fishermen Cooperative Society (Regd in 1974), Haveri is taking lease of the tank, undertaking fisheries development, harvesting and marketing the produce at Haveri and other places. There are 110 active members engaged in fishing profession.

Significant fresh water fish productions

It was reported that the Society has introduced 1,25,000 fishseed comprised of indigenous Catla, Rohu and exotic Common carp, Presently only exotic Common carp and Tilapia could be observed.

Disposal of fishing rights (Leasing / Auctioning / Licence)

By leasing for a specific period

Significant estuarine and marine fish / shell-fish production.

Not applicable as only fresh water resources exists in the area.

Types of fishing crafts and gears employed

Coracles and gears include castnets, gillnets and rod and line.

Nearest fish landing centre

Keremattihlli

Availability of fish processing facilities

Karnataka Fisheries Federation, Mysore has established an Ice Plant to offer fish preservation facility.

Mining and quarrying activities

Other than sand and stones which are used in building constructions, no other ‘mines' products exists in the area.

Source and extent of air and water pollution

Because of the regular flow of the vehicular traffic, dust and air pollution is there to some extent. In addition, pesticides spraying on agricultural and cash crops (Cotton etc) gets into the tank during monsoon which results in water pollution.

Prevalence of human diseases

Not on recorded

Prevalence of livestock diseases

Not reported

Name of individual / institutions / 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

1

2

3

4

5

6

Local individuals

-

-

-

-

-

Local institutions

Fishermen Cooperative Society, Keremattihalli

Development of fisheries, harvesting marketing etc.,

-

Development of tank fisheries

-

Outside individuals

Dr. John Deodhar, Dr. Madhuri J. Deodhar

Birds Sanctuary

-

Bird sanctuary, creation of islands for birds to propagate

-

Outside Institutions

-

-

-

-

-

Government agencies

Department of Irrigation

Department of Fisheries

Department of Road / Transport

Irrigation facilities,

Development of fisheries and Bypass road construction

-

-

Intrusion into the tank area

Creation of required irrigation facilities,

Development of fisheries and by-pass road construction in the middle of the tank.

-

-

Reducing the area of the tank

Industrial mining companies etc.,

-

-

-

-

-

Any other agencies

-

-

-

-

-

Name

Age

Sex

Community

Address

Shri. Vasanth G Hegde

26

Male

Brahmin

Assistant Director of Fisheries, Haveri

Shri. A.D. Belvatgi

54

Male

Muslim

Dept of Fisheries, Dharwar.

Shri. Nagappa Shivananda Bhajantari

55

Male

Bestha

Fishermen, Co-Operative Society, Keremattihalli, Haveri

Shri. Supatrappa Honnappa Barki

53

Male

Bestha

Fishermen, Co-Operative Society, Keremattihalli, Haveri

Shri. Dyamanna Bharmappa Barki

54

Male

Bestha

Fishermen, Co-Operative Society, Keremattihalli, Haveri

Shri. Rameshappa Bharmadyeppa Barki

49

Male

Bestha

Fishermen, Co-Operative Society, Keremattihalli, Haveri

Shri. Banappa Bassappa Bhajantari

48

Male

Bestha

Fishermen, Co-Operative Society, Keremattihalli, Haveri

Shri. Basappa Nagappa Bhajantari

53

Male

Bestha

Fishermen, Co-Operative Society, Keremattihalli, Haveri

Shri. Chandrappa Killi-kyatha

51

Male

Burde-Bestha

Fishermen, Co-Operative Society, Keremattihalli, Haveri

Shri. Mahadevappa Hanumanthappa , Terdahalli.

55

Male

Bestha

Fishermen, Co-Operative Society, Keremattihalli, Haveri

Shri. Ramanna Yellappa

49

Male

Bestha

Fishermen, Co-Operative Society, Keremattihalli, Haveri

Shri. Lakshman Eidigar

51

Male

Bestha

Fishermen, Co-Operative Society, Keremattihalli, Haveri

Dr. John Deodhar

60

Male

Brahmin

Deodhar Compound, Station Road, Haveri

Dr. (Mrs.) Madhuri J. Deodhar

51

Female

Brahmin

Deodhar Compound, Station Road, Haveri

1.

For zone of influence

Enclosed

1.

Habitat type

Perennial tank

2.

Local name (if any)

Heggerikere

3.

Approximate total area

82.47 ha

4.

Special significance of the habitat type (if any)

The tank is used for irrigational needs and for fisheries development.

5.

Management regimes

Department of Fisheries, Haveri, Fishermen Co-operative Society, Keremattihalli.

Dr. John Deodhar,

Dr. (Mrs) Madhuri J. Deodhar.

6.

Goods and services provided by the habitat

For fish production and as bird sanctuary.

7.

Bads and disservices provided by the habitat

Nil

8.

Significant ecological processes influenced by the habitat type

The tank, in addition to monsoon rains and water from its catchment area, also receives water from Mattehattikere, Lingadahallikere, Kaginahallikere, Kummoorukere, Dhoolikoppakere and Hasabhavikere.

9.

Significant man-induced processes influenced by the habitat type

Creation of islands with shrub cover for birds to take shelter, nests and propagate.

10.

Interacting individuals and institutions (local)

Members of the Fishermen Co-operative Society, Keremattechalli, Haveri.

11

Activities

Development of fisheres

12.

Interacting individuals and institutions (External)

Dr. John Deodhar, Dr. (Mrs) Madhuri J. Deodhar, Department of Irrigation and Department of Fisheries.

13

Activities

Creation of islands with shrub covers for migrating birds to habitate, arranging irrigation facilities and development of fisheries.

1.

Type and name of the habitat patch

Perennial Heggeri tank.

2.

Change in :-

i

Area

The tank's peripheral area has been fenced because of the construction of a by-pass road in the middle of the tank, its area is slightly reduced.

ii

Vegetation strata

Thorny trees (Jaali) have been grown near about the tank and Ipomoea aquatica is the only aquatic weed observed.

3.

Aquatic habitat change in :

i

Catchment area

Not significant

ii

Aquatic fauna

Indigenous fish fauna is lost to a very great extent.

iii

Aquatic flora

Ipomoea aquatica has been introduced near about the islands created for birds to take shelter etc.,

4.

Significant ecological processes influencing the habitat patch

Drought conditions, reduced in-flow of water, shallowness of the tank and period of water retention had a negative impact on its ecology. The tank had dried up during 2001, 2002, and upto September 2003. Only in October 2003, the tank received water.

5.

Significant man-induced processes influencing the habitat patch

Systematic desilting of the tank be undertaken and the collected soil be used in the agricultural fields, instead of dumping it within the tank as is being done presently. Though few islands with shrub cover established in the tank has, to some extent, reduced the area, but, to attract migratory birds

and to develop the Hotspot as a bird sanctuary also, is a welcome and additional advantageous feature.

6.

Productivity of Goods and Services

Development of fisheries and establishing a bird sanctuary.

7.

Extent of Bads and Disservices

Not significant

8.

Reasons for ongoing changes

Failure of rains and drought conditions had left some negative impact on the ecological conditions of the tank. Desilting process in order to deepen the tank to make it hold more water for a considerable time, is a welcome feature.

9.

Gainers

Habitat , fisheries and birds, provided sustainable ecological conditions prevail.

10.

Losers

Those depending on the tank which includes fisheries, birds, fishermen community and nature lovers.

11.

Desired changes / Desired future

Deepening of the tank-bed in order to store more water, stacking of the excavated earth away from the tank area, development of fisheries and providing suitable forest cover in the already established islands for the birds to settle and propagate.

The whole process, if implemented, will markedly improve the ecological conditions of the Hotspot. The process should have to have the active support of nature, i.e. normal rains and conservation efforts.

12

Desired management system

A Committee with representations from Departments of Irrigation, Fisheries, Tourism, NGO's interested private parties and Fishermen Cooperative Society be constituted to monitor water usage activity, development of fisheries and bird sanctuary.

13

Suggested component for a feasible management plan for the habitat patch

Deepening of the tank to store more water, development of fisheries and providing complimentary conditions for the migrating birds to settle are the activities which needs attention on priority basis .

iv. FISH

Family : CYPRINIDAE

Subfamily : Danioninae (=Rasborinae)

Tribe : Oxygasterini

Genus:Salmostoma Swainson

1.Salmostma acinaces (Valenciennes)

Silver Razor-belly minnow

Sampaj

Tribe : Danionini

Genus: Chela Hamilton-Buchanan

2. Chela (Chela) cachius(Hamilton Buchanan)

Silver hatched-chela

Borie menu

Genus:Rasbora Bleeker

3. Rasbora daniconius(Hamilton Buchanan)

Black-line Rasbora

Saslu

Genus:Amblypharyngodon Bleeker

4. Amblypharyngodon mola(Hamilton Buchanan)

Mola Carplet

Enapu Pakke

Subfamily: Cyprininae

Tribe : Cyprinini

Sub tribe: Cyprini

Genus: Cyprinus Linnaeus

5.Cyprinus carpio communis Linnaeus

Common carp

Samanya Gende

Tribe : Systomini

Subtribe: Systomi

Genus: Puntius Hamilton-Buchanan

6. Puntius sarana sarana(Hamilton-Buchanan)

Olive Barb

Gende

7. Puntius sorphore(Hamilton Buchanan)

Spot-fin swampy barb

Gud Pakke

8. Puntius ticto (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Ticto Barb

Bud Pakke

Tribe : Labeonini

Subtribe: Labeones

Genus : Cirrhinus oken

9. Cirrhinus mrigala(Hamilton-Buchanan)

Mrigal

Mrigal

10.Cirrhinus reba(Hamilton-Buchanan)

Reba

Arja

Genus:Catla Valenciennes

11. Catla catla (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Catla

Catla

Genus:Labeo Cuvier

12.Labeo bata (Hamilton-Buchanan)

13.Labeo calbasu (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Calbasu

Kage

14.Labeo fimbriatus (Bloch)

Fimbriatus

Kem-meenu

15.Labeo rohita (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Rohu

Rohu

Family : BALITORIDAE

Sub family: Nemacheilinae

Genus:Nemacheilus Bleeker

16:Nemacheilus anguilla Annandale

Nemacheilus

Murangi

Order : Siluriformes

Family: BAGRIDAE

Sub family: Bagrinae

Genus: Mystus Scopoli

17. Mystus cavasius (Hamilton –Buchanan)

Gangetic Mystus

Girlu

18. Mystus vittatus (Bloch)

Stripped Dwarf –catfish

Girlu

Family : SILURIDAE

Genus:Ompok Lacepede

19. Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch)

Butterfish

Godle

Genus : Wallage Bleeker

20. Wallago attu (Shneider)

Freshwater Shark

Balae

Family: CLARIIDAE

Genus: Clarias Scopoli

21.Clarias batrachus Linnaene

Magur

Ane-meenu

Order: Cyprinodontiformes

Family: Poecilidae

Sub family: Poecilinae

Genus: Poecilia Bloch

22. Poecilia (Lebostes) reticulatus Schneider

Mosquito fish

Sole menu

Order : Perciformes

Suborder: Labroidei

Family : CICHLIDAE

Genus : Oreochromis Gunther

23. Oreochromis mossambica (Peters)

Tilapia

Tilapia

Gobiodei

GOBIIDAE

Gobiinae

Glossegobius Gill

Glossogobins guiris giuris

(Hamilton Buchanan)

Tank Goby

Bhangi-Sidda

Suborder : Channoidei

Family : CHANNIDAE

Genus : Channa Scopoli

25. Channa maralius (Hamilton Buchanan)

Giant Snake-head

Avulu

26. Channa orientalis (Schneider)

Asiatic Snake-head

Mottu

27. Channa Striatus (Bloch)

Stripped Snake-head

Kuchchu

Most common local name of the species (Language )

1) Samanya gende (Kannada)

Scientific name of the species

1) Cyprinus carpio communis Linnaeus

Habitat favoured

Standing water body (Tanks/ Reservoirs)

Value to local community

As food value

Major uses / Ill-effects

As food value only

Value of global relevance (as rare, threatened or endangered)

Commonly available Internationally

Most common name of the species

1) Common carp

Scientific name

1) Cyprinus carpio communis Linnaeus

Most common local name of the species

1) Samanya gende

Existing management authority

Fishermen Cooperative Society, Keremattihalli

Fish breeding season

Prolonged – Almost round – the – year.

Fishing methods (Types of nets used)

Gillnets

Current level of abundance

Reported that 3.5 lakhs of fish – Common carp have been stocked in November, 2003.

Trend in abundance in last 10-15 / 40-50 years

Failure of rains and drought conditions has turned this once a perennial tank into a long- seasonal; vagaries of nature, and condition of the tank over the years has restricted in limited fisheries activities which is not encouraging.

Significant ecological processes influencing the species

Failure of rains and drought conditions had a negative impact on the fisheries developmental activities. The tank had recorded full water level in 1992 only.

Significant man-induced processes influencing the species.

Laying – of a by – pass road in the middle of the tank, haphazard way of desilting of the tank and stacking of the excavated earth within the tank area has reduced the water spread area of the water body. Since fisheries activities are water related projects, failure of rains followed by drought conditions had a negative impact on the over – all fisheries development activities.

Reasons for the ongoing change

Failure of rains followed by drought conditions.

Gainers – Internal / External

None, as the ecological conditions are, yet, not congenial enough to undertake any productive activities of significance.

Losers – Internal / External

Habitat, fisheries, birds, community, etc.

Desired changes / desired future

Desilting of the tank – bed to store more water, stacking or spreading the excavated earth in the agricultural fields, creation of mini – forest cover on the islands for birds to settle, development of fisheries based on available scientific know – how may improve the ecological conditions of the tank to a great extent to meet the basic requirements of all related to it.

Desired management system

A Committee with representation from Departments of Ecology, Forest, Fisheries, Irrigation, Tourism, Village, Panchayat, Nature-Lovers etc. be constituted to take note of the points highlighted under No. 4 (c) 11 and No. 5 (c) 14.

Suggested component for a feasible management plan for the species.

•  Organised desilting of the tank in order to store more water to under take normal fisheries developmental activities.

•  Creation of adequate forest / shrub cover on the islands within the tank to develop as bird sanctuary.

•  Fish faunistic studies be conducted to record species – wise composition to introduce, if need be, certain corrective measure to strengthen their population.

a)

Perspective of others

1.

Desired response option of different members of local or outside. communities / institution / government agencies / industrial or mining undertaking etc. to be recorded

Planned desilting of the tank to store more water for a considerable period helps in resuming normal fisheries development activities, creation of supportive suitable forest / shrub cover on the already established islands in the tank will be of great source for the migrating birds to take shelter and propagate. The process calls for total participation of all concerned. Government should provide technical know - how and required financial support.

2.

Significance of management issue and response options

A Committee with representation from various departments along with the local participants be constituted to introduce desired measures for the over – all development of the tank, Locals assures their participation, Government, NGO's and other agencies should act positively.

3.

Management issues pertaining to

a) Habitat and / or

Desilting of the tank, creation of complimentary forest / shrub cover on the islands for the birds and fisheries development activities.

b) Species / Variety

After conducting detailed hydrobiological conditions of the tank, desirable and compatible fish species only need be introduced. Additionally, the depleted indigenous fish stock be enriched by transplanting from other resources.

4.

Customary / Administrative

All concerned departments, institutions, private parties should work together for the over – all development of the tank and its environs.

5.

Since how long the arrangements have been in practice

Desilting of the tank (to some extent) introduction of, fish seed and provision of shrub cover on the islands has been attended – to only very recently.

6.

Changes, if any, in management pattern over last 10-15 / 40-50 years

The whole process of reclamation of tank on normal ecological requirements has to be organized afresh.

7.

Desired changes / Desired future

As detailed in No. 4 (c) - 11.

8.

Desired management system

As detailed in 4 (c) – 12

b)

Perspective of Investigators

•  Study on the hydrobiology of the tank may be made.

•  Fish faunistic studies be conducted to record abundance or otherwise of individual species to plan improvement strategies.

•  Adequate measures to establish suitable forest / shrub cover on the islands for the birds may be undertaken.

•  Fisheries development by stocking together compatible fish species may be planned.

•  A Committee to monitor the activities be constituted.

c)

Desired and feasible pattern of management that should be promoted in the opinion of the investigators

As incorporated under. No. 4 (c) - 12

d)

Suggested strategy for promoting this desired patterns of management and the communication needs for the purpose.

As detailed in No. 6 (a) – 1 –8

e)

Cultural, religious, recreational, scenic, tourist significance of the Hotspot

Of scenic and tourists (Bird watchers) importance in addition to development of fisheries.

f)

Ecological evaluation of the Hotspot

Vagaries of nature, failure of rains, drought conditions, period of water retention, shallowness of the tank has had only moderate fisheries development activity.

g)

Suggested follow-up investigations

As detailed in No. 6 (b) above.

h)

Any other suggested follow-up

As suggested under No. 6 ( a ) – 1 and 2.