Location

Garadigundi, Thingale, in river Seetanadi.

Area (in ha or Sq. km)

One hector

Latitude / Longitude / Altitude.

Lat 13 o 12'; Long : 75 o 00'

Village/Town/ Taluk/ District

Nadupala / Nadupala /Karkala / Udupi.

Maps (kind of map and scale)

Enclosed

Mode of access (Distance from Railway/Bus station)

The route to reach the place from Udupi Hebri- Mandimata-Thingale-Garadigundi is 50 Kms from Mangalore Via Karkala-Mudradi-Mandimata-Thingale Garadigundi is 100 K.M

Facilities to stay closest to the hotspot

Forest guest house at Seethanadi 6 kms from Thingale and Hotel at Hebri 12 kms, are available.

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

Nil

Controlling authorities

Assistant Director of Fisheries, Udupi and Brahma, Baidarkala Garadi, Sri Vikramarjuna Heggade Trustee.

Classes of Landscape

Hilly terrain, perennial river Seethanadi surrounded by evergreen forest.

Water bodies

The Water body Seethanadi river originates about 20 kms upstream at Narasimha Parvatha near Kigga of Sringeri Taluk and flow west wards to join the Arabian Sea at Hangarakatta. On the upstream of this sanctuary the river has two falls, namely Mangatheertha and Kudlatheertha. A river called Bharkana joins this at 6 kms upstream. There are no dams built above the sanctuary. Kudlatheertha falls located to kms above this is a picnic spot of beauty and adventure. Below the sanctuary 25 kms down stream, a dam has been built for power generation at Santhekatte.

Human population

The population of the village was 2098 (1981) and 2594 (1991).

Presence of Scheduled Tribes or Nomadic Tribes population.

SC : 77

ST : 346

Livestock

Cattle

Irrigation status and Major crops

Adjoining lands are cultivated. Paddy, areca, coconut and rubber plantations are important crops.

Significant forest produce

Not applicable

Quantities recorded at the Ranga or Divisional Forest Offices

Not Applicable

Cooperative societies and their transactions.

There is no fishermen co-operative society.

Significant fresh water fish productions

Negligible, since fishing is not permitted, no fish is harvested.

Disposal of fishing rights (Leasing / Auctioning / License)

The Fisheries Department is the authorized government agency empowered to dispose the fishing rights of Seethanadi river. But according to the local Assistant Director of Fisheries, the fishing rights of this river is not leased, auctioned or licences issued. There is no fishing in Garadigundi waters traditionally. Local SC and ST people belonging to Bogra and Malekudiya communities, fish in the river and adjoining streams beyond the traditionally prohibited area using traditional gears like Makkeri, appe, goori, gala and goribale. Some people also resort to use of plant based poison (kadu). Professional fishermen from Thirthahallu, Ajekkar and Belmannu of the neighbouring areas come and fish using nets. According to local people, when the water level is low in the river, (Oct-May), “Dynamitting-“both on upstream and downstream of Garadigundi is a regular feature to catch fish.

Significant estuarine and marine fish and shell fish productions

Not applicable

Number and type of fishing crafts

Local people do not posses any gear and craft for fishing.

Nearest fish landing centres

There is no fish landing centre as no fish is caught in the area. Coastal area is located nearby and people prefer marine fish which is sold regularly in the locality. The major fish species in Seethanadi is Mahseer-Tor Kudhree locally known as Peruvolu”, and is considered as sacred fish; as such local people fear for their consumption.

Availability of fish processing facilities

Not available

Mining and quarrying activities

There is no mining or quarrying activity in the area.

Source and extent of air and water pollution

The agriculturists use pesticides for crops like paddy, areca, coconut, and rubber plantation; its entry into the river course may cause some pollution; otherwise there is no other cause of pollution at present.

Prevalent of human diseases

Nil

Prevalence of livestock diseases

Nil

Active NGOs

Nagarika Seva Samithi

Guruvaryanakere

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

Sri. Vikramarjuna Heggade, Trustee, Thingale Daivasthana

Leader, Traditional Biodiversity Protection group.

Nil

Local institutions

Department of Fisheries, G.O.K

Department of fisheries has taken initiative to develop the fish congregation area by providing financial assistance and also to educate local public in protection of fish fauna.

Nil

Outside individuals

Department of Forest, G.O.K

Protects the forest and wild life

Nil

Outside institutions

Local and migrant people

Nil

Poisoning and dynamiting

Government agencies

Devotees of the

Brahma baidarkala Daivasthana

Responsible for feeding and providing protection.

Nil

Industrial mining companies etc.,

Any other agencies

Name and Address

Education

Expertise

Shri. Vikramarjuna Heggade Thingale P.O. Seethanadi via

Hebri Pin – 576112 Karkala Taluk, Udupi District.

Ph : 08253 – 774222.

B.Sc, M.A

Baidarkala-Garadi and Garadigundi Fish sanctuary is looked after by this local Heggade family.

1.

For zone of influence

Village map enclosed

2.

For zone of influence

Village map enclosed

1.

Habitat type

The river flows with clear almost throughout the year. The village NADPAL is covered by reserve forest (95%). The water body is densely covered by forest of western ghat. Trees and wildlife are abundant. Streamside forest is very natural and good except for a stretch of 1 Km on the left side near the sanctuary which is bordered by agricultural land. Hydromodification, riparian encroachment and sedimentations are not reported. The bottom is clear with sand, gravel, boulders and granite rocks. The water flow is meandering and swift. Pools, rocky projections and gravel islands with shrubs are common. Riffles and constricted flow besides undercut banks are formed during rainy season. It is a good jungle water course.

2.

Local name (if any)

Garadigundi.

3.

Approximate total area (in ha)

One hectare

4.

Special significance of the habitat type (if any)

The Garadi gundi water has rich biodiversity of aquatic life which, in addition to fishes has several spices of insects, crustaceans, molluscs, reptiles, birds and aquatic mammals.

5.

Management regimes

Though the fish congregation is in existence in river Seethanadi near Thingale for the past several years, no action is taken to declare the Hotspot as a sanctuary and to provide desired protection. The Heggade family and locals are responsible for protecting the fish stocks and also feeding them, sporadic, dynamiting, poisoning and poaching are reported. Local people devotedly adores these Peruvol-the Mahseer Tor Khudree to be God's fish and worship it. The species is seldom caught and consumed.

In the recent past, the department of fisheries has created awareness among locals about the need and importance of protecting the threatened fish species. The Department has constructed a road, approach steps, observation platform and fixed a sign board, temple authorities and pilgrims feed the fishes. There is, however, no organized feeding schedule. There is no watch and ward.

The Department of Fisheries has initiated action to declare the Hotspot as a Fish Sanctuary.

6.

Goods and services provided by the habitat

The river shelters species of fishes and other aquatic fauna. Helps in generation of electricity in the lower reaches besides meeting the needs of agriculture.

7.

Bads and disservices provided by the habitat

Not significant.

8.

Significant ecological processes influenced by the habitat

The unpolluted water body and swift flow provide healthy aquatic environment. Fruits and foliage of the forest trees provide additional food. Heavy rainfall and the pools in the river stretch provide scope for the fish to take shelter and propagate. Less of human interference has given scope for the fishes to congregate in the area.

9.

Significant man-induced processes influenced by the habitat

During 1999, the Department of Fisheries provided rupees 2,00,000/- which helped in the construction of an approach road, steps and a platform. It has also been planned to organize feeding of fishes with the active participation of temple authorities and pilgrims.

10.

Interacting individuals and institutions (local)

The trustees of the temple headed by Sri. Heggade, the local people and Department of Fisheries help in maintaining the Hotspot.

11.

Activities

Conservation efforts : The Heggade family (who owns and manages the place of worship) locals and the Department of fisheries helps to conserve and protect the fishes in the Hotspot.

12.

Interacting individual and institutions (External)

Instances of occasional poaching and dynamiting are reported. Active participation of the Trustees and the locals has prevented such occurrences in the recent years.

13.

Activities

Temple Trustees, locals and the Department of Fisheries and interacting authorities.

1.

Type and name of the habitat patch

River poll, Thingale Garadigundi.

i

Area

There is no change.

ii

Vegetation Strata

There is no change.

i

Catchment area

No Significant change

ii

Aquatic fauna

No Significant change

iii

Aquatic flora

No significant change.

4.

Significant ecological process influencing the habitat patch

The perennial river, the terrain, un-polluted water, sparsely populated and less of agricultural activities have influenced the habitat patch.

5.

Significant man-induced processes influencing the habitat patch

Supply of feed to the fishes, protection by Temple Trustees / locals and the Department of Fisheries has a positive impact on the Hotspot.

6.

Productivity of Goods at Services

Not much change.

7.

Extent of Bads and Disservices

Not observed

8.

Reasons for ongoing changes

Department of Fisheries has improved the physical features of the area by constructing an approach road, steps at the site and a platform for viewing the fishes in the Hotspot in their natural environment.

9.

Gainers

The biodiversity is conserved and the endangered Mahseer Tor Khudree is protected.

10.

Loosers

None

11.

Desired changes / Desired future

The fish congregating area has to be declared as a “Sanctuary” for the protection of the endangered fish. This includes prevention of poaching, indiscriminate fishing, using dynamites and poisoning, feeding of fishes, organizing watch and ward, etc, public should be educated in safe-guarding the habitat. Awareness camps may be organized.

The present road leading to the Hotspot from the main road is required to be asphalted. The Trustees of the temple care takers may be assisted by providing adequate funds to arrange feeding of fishes when there are no pilgrims. During summer period it is likely that the fish in the pool are subjected to poaching, dynamiting, poisoning etc., Hence, the Department of Fisheries may provide funds for appointing guards / wardens to control such events. On either side of the river, upto a distance of 50 Mtrs, action be taken not be permit quarrying, agricultural activity and building construction so as to maintain the biodiversity of the aquatic life existing in the Hotspot. The Department of Fisheries, in order to protect the endangered Tor khudree , should initiate action to declare the fish congregating centre as a “Sanctuary” by demarcating upto a distance of 1 Km on either side of the pool inclusive of the area as a protected zone. The Department should also place a staff member at the Hotpot to protect the fish stocks. There is also a need to undertake detailed fish faunistic studies, identify their breeding grounds. / nursery areas to organize corrective measures for safe guarding the Hotspot.
The fish congregating area my be annually cleaned to remove the accumulated debris. During festivities other periods, every care should be taken to prevent throwing of plastic bags coconut shells, plastic bottles etc into the river.
Awareness camps may be organized to educate people about the importance of protecting the aquatic biodiversity. Suitable literature on the subject may be prepared and distributed to concerned public.

13.

Suggested component for feasible management plan for the habitat patch

The Government of Karnataka may constitute a Fish Protection committee with representative from Departments of Fisheries, Forest, Village Panchayat, Temple trustees, locals, NGOs etc to periodically review and to manage the hotspot.

IV. FISH SPECIES

Order

:

Cypriniformes

Family

:

CYPRINIDAE

Subfamily

:

Danioninae (=Rasborinae)

Tribe

:

Oxygasterini

Genus

:

Salmostoma Swainson

1

Salmostoma boopis (Day)

Boopis razor belly minnow

Sampaj

2

Salmostoma phulo phulo (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Black razor belly minnow

Chalake

Genus

:

Barilius Hamilton-Buchanan

3

Barilius gatensis (Valencieness)

River carp Baril

Agasa-gatti meenu

Tribe

:

Danionini

Genus

:

Rasbora Bleeker

4

Rasbora daniconius (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Black-line Rasbora

Golai

5

Rasbora rasbora (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Scissor – Tail Rasbora

Saslu

Sub family

:

Cyprininae

Tribe

:

Cyprinini

Sub-Tribe

:

Tores

Genus

:

Tor Gray

6

Tor khudree (Sykes)

Deccan Mahseer

Bili meenu

Tribe

:

Systomini

Sub-Tribe

:

Systomi

Genus

:

Puntius (Hamilton-Buchanan)

7

Puntius amphibious (Valenciennes)

Scarlet-banded barb

Gende

8

Puntius fasciatus fasciatus (Day)

Melon barb

Pakke

9

Puntius filamentosus (Valenciennes)

Black-spot barb

Kijan

10

Puntius sarana sarana (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Olive Barb

Gende

11

Puntius ticto (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Ticto Barb

Bud-pakke

Tribe

:

Semiplotini

Genus

:

Osteochilichthys (Hora)

12

Osteochilichthys nashi (Day)

Nash's Barb

Ogari

Genus

:

Kantaka (Hora)

13

Kantaka brevidorsalis (Day)

Kantaka Barb

Konti

Sub family

:

Oreininae

Genus

:

Garra (Hamilton – Buchanan)

14

Garra gotyla stenorhynchus (Jerdon)

Nilgiri's Garra

Kallu Korava

Family

:

BALITORIDAE

Sub family

:

Nemacheilinae

Genus

:

Schistura (McClleland)

15

Schistura denisoni denisoni (Day)

Nemacheilus

Murangi

Subfamily

:

Cobitinae

Genus

:

Lepidocephalus (Bleeker)

16

Lepidocephalus thermalis (Valenciennes)

Nemacheilus

Murangi

Order

:

Siluriformes

Family

:

SILURIDAE

Genus

:

Wallago Bleeker

17

Wallago attu (Schneider)

Fresh water shark

Balae

Sub order

:

Acanthopterygii

Series

:

Atherinomorpha

Order

:

Beloniformes

Suborder

:

Belonoidei

FAMILY

:

BELONIDAE

Genus

:

Strongylura Van Hasselt

18

Strongylura strongylura (Van Hasselt)

Spot-tail needle fish

Surali

Genus

:

Xenontodon (Regan)

19

Xenontodon cancila (Hamilton-Buchanan

Freshwater Gar fish

Kokkare

Family

:

HEMIRAMPHIDAE

Genus

:

Hyporhamphus (Gill)

20

Hyporhamphus limbatus (Valenciennes)

Gaimard's Half-beak

Surali

Order

:

Cyprinodontiformes

Family

:

APLOCHEILIDAE

Subfamily

:

Aplocheilinae

Genus

:

Aplocheilus (Mc Clelland)

21

Aplocheilus lineatus (Valenciennes)

Killi fish

Moogumalli

Order

:

Synbranchiformes

Suborder

:

Mastacembeloidei

Family

:

MASTACEMBELIDAE

Sub family

:

Mastacembelinae

Genus

:

Mastacembelus (Scopoli)

22

Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepede)

Spiny Eel

Havu-meenu

Order

:

Perciformes

Suborder

:

Percoidei

Family

:

CHANDIDAE (=AMBASSIDAE)

Genus

:

Chanda (Hamilton-Buchanan)

23

Chanda nama

(Hamilton-Buchanan)

Genus

:

Parambassis (Bleeker)

24

Parambassis ranga (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Glass fish

Bachinke

Sub order

:

Gobioidei

Family

:

GOBIIDAE

Sub family

:

Gobiinae

Genus

:

Glossogobius (Gill)

25

Glossogobius giuris giuris (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Tank body

Bhangi – Sidda

Sub family

:

Gobionellinae

Genus

:

Stigmatogobius (Bleeker)

26

Stigmatogobius sadanundio (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Gobius

Koru

Sub order

:

Anabantoidei

Family

:

ANABANTIDAE

Genus

:

Anabas (Cuvier)

27

Anabas testudineus (Bloch)

Climbing Perch

Koru

Sub order

:

Channoidei

Family

:

CHANNIDAE

Genus

:

Channa (Scopoli)

28

Channa marulius (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Gaint snake-head

Avutu

29

Channa orientalis (Schneider)

Asiatic snaker head

Mottu

30

Channa straiatus (Bloch)

Stripped snake head

Kuchohu

Most common local name of the species (Language )

Bili meenu /Peruval

Scientific name of the species

Tor khudree (Sykes).

Habitat favoured

The habitat is favourable to fish life. Action should be taken to prevent deterioration of the Hotspot.

Value to local community

The fish, locally called “PERUVOLU MEENU” is considered as sacred. As such people neither won't catch and consume.

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

The Mahseer- Tor khudree a famous gamefish of India is considered as a threatened fish by the Zoological Survey of India / the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resource of India. The conservation of the species is important both from the National and International point of view.

Most common name of the species

Mahseer

Scientific name

Tor khudree (Sykes)

Most common local name of variety

Peruvol / Bili meenu

Existing management authority

Department of Fisheries / Temple Trustees.

Fish breeding season

Post monsoon.

Fishing methods (Types of nets used)

Not applicable

Since the area is considered as “No Fishing Zone”

Current level of abundance

Tor khudree is the dominant species.

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

No change

Significant ecological processes influencing the species

Nil

Significant man-induced processes influencing the species

Pouching, Dynamiting

Reasons for the ongoing change

Not being a protected area

Gainers – Internal / External

Tourists Pilgrims

Loosers – Internal / External

None

Desired changes / desired future

Total protection to river fauna of the habitat from dynamiting, poisoning and preventing entry of pesticides.

Desired management system

The committee consisting of fisheries , Forest Department, Trustees of the Gardigundi, Village Panchayat may be constituted to fore see the development and management of the area.

Suggested component for a feasible management plan for the species

The area from Garudigundi in Seethanadhi, one km both upstream and the downstream may be declared as sanctuary by the Department of Fisheries. When there are no pilgrims it is necessary to feed the fishes. Garudi gundi Trustee, may be provided required grants for this purpose. Watch and ward may also be arranged.

Perspective of others

Not recorded

Perspectives of Investigators

Efforts needed to conserve the sanctuary.

1) As breeding and recruitment of the species appears taking place, Importance should be given to protect them. Food and feeding habits of these fishes be studied and their natural food ensured during all stages of life.

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

•  Protection of fishes against fishing and killing.

•  Natural and prepared food be made available

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

100 meters on the upper and lower stretch of the river from the cement platform be declared as “Sanctuary” under Indian Fisheries Act 1897 by the Department of Fisheries.

The Department of Fisheries should prevent use of dynamite in the river Seethanadi. The riparian zone on either side of the river for a width of 10 meters from the highest flood level should be declared as reverine regulatory zone and preserved by the Forest Department.

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

The Heggade family of Thingale who are living in the village since 800 years earmarked about 1 acre of their land on the banks of Seethanadi and established the Brahmabaidarkala Daivasthana and Shivaraya Devasthana. The Heggade family is arranging regular worships here. The Heggades belongs to Bunt community and practices vegetarianism. His words are respected and obeyed in the area. He is the key person in the protection and development of the fishes of the sanctuary. The sacred fish Mahseer which is in abundance here, live in the nearby river pool called Garadigundi and have religious and cultural association with the place of workship and the local people. People who visit the garadi for worship or on fulfillment of their prayers, feed the fishes. Observing the fish congregation is also a matter of joy, pleasure and happiness to the young and old.

Ecological evaluation of the Hotspot

Thingale Hotspot is a very important fish habitat that has to be protected and conserved.

Suggested follow-up investigations

Investigations on Mahseer and its breeding grounds in the river along with feeding habits of young and adults are to be carried out .

Any other suggested follow-up

As in 6 – (d)