Location

The tank is located in Magadi village of Gadag District.

Area (in ha )

50 ha

Location

Thodikana Mathsyatheertha is a tributary of Payaswini river in Thodikana Village.

Area (in ha or sq. km)

250 meter length, 30 m width of the river Mathsyatheertha.

Latitude / Longitude / Altitude.

Lat : 12 o .28; Long : 75 o .28'
Alti ; 175 MSL

Village/Town/ Taluk/ District

Thodikana / Thodikana / Sulia / Dakshina Kannada.

Maps (kind of map and scale)

Enclosed

Mode of access (Distance from Railway/Bus station)

Thodikana is located at a distance of 18 Kms from Sullia (Taluk headquarters) and 100 Kms from Mangalore (District headquarters). The nearest Railway station is Puttur at a distance of 52 kms. Madikeri, the headquarters of Kodagu District, is just 46 kms from Thodikana. The approach route is Sullia-Aranthodu-Thodikana or from Madikeri – Sampaje – Aranthodu-Thodikana on Mangalore – Madikere main road.

Facilities to stay closest to the hotspot

Hotels at Sullia. Guest houses of P.W.D and Forest are also available.

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

Nil

Controlling authorities

Department of Fisheries, Government of Karnataka and Sri. Mallikarjuna Temple Trust.

Classes of Landscape

Foothills of western ghats (thick forest area).

Water bodies

The Hotspot is situated near the origin of the river Payaswini, also known as Basavani, Chandragiri, Nojekallu, Najakalla, a perennial stream descending from a hill. The stream originates at a place called “Dore bungalow” 6 kms upstream in Kodagu district. There is a water- fall of 60 feet at a point called Devaragundi, 2 Kms above the Hotspot. After flowing for 4 Kms, this stream joins Payaswini river and flows westwards to join the Arabian sea near Kasaragod traversing a distance of about 80 kms. The water body is not very deep at this spot, but flows with a good speed (about 3 meters fall for 100 meters run), with round stones and pebbles at the bottom. This is one of the best waterbody for breeding and recruitment of Mahseer fishes.

Human population

1991 census is 1979

Presence of Scheduled Tribes or Nomadic Tribes population.

293 S.C and 142 S.T. people.

Livestock

Cattle

Irrigation status and Major crops

The village economy is dominantly agriculture based. The major crops being arecant, coconut, rubber, cocoa and banana. Irrigation is mainly dependent on river water. In the upper reaches of the Hotspot, 15 pump-sets are installed. Along the upper and lower reaches of the spot, on either side of the river, the land is cultivated.

Significant forest produce

Green manure, firewood, cashew and rubber constitute important forest produce.

Cooperative societies and their transactions

None

Significant fresh water fish production

Nil

Disposal of fishing rights (Leasing / Auctioning / License)

No organized finishing is done in the village except by agricultural labourers using country rod and line trap net and baskets. However fishing rights of the river is not disposed off by the Fisheries Department. Fishing in the Mathsyatheertha is traditionally prohibited.

Number and type of fishing crafts

Locally not available.

Nearest fish landing centre and fish processing facility

No fish processing facility exists at the village as there is no fish production.

Availability of fish processing facilities

Not available

Mining and quarrying activities

Not done in the village and in zone of influence.

Source and extent of air and water pollution

No pollution is reported, but agricultural crops and rubber plantation are sprayed with pesticides.

Prevalent of human diseases

Not on record

Prevalence of livestock diseases

Not on record

Educational Institutions

Primary School

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

Local individuals

K. Vasantha Rao, Thodikana

Traditional Protection leader

Nil

Traditional Protection Leader

Nil

Local institutions

Mallikarjuna temple trust

Daily feeding and protection

Nil

Protection

Nil

Outside individuals

Visitors to the temple

Feeding

Nil

Nil

Nil

Outside institutions

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Government agencies

Zilla Panchayath, Departments of Fisheries and Forest

Provide financial, technical and administrative assistance

Nil

Protection and development

Nil

Industrial mining companies etc.,

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Any other agencies

Migrant Labourers

Nil

Nil

Nil

Dynamiting and fishing

Name

Age

Sex

Community

Address of Expertise

Dhananjaya Adpangaya, Z.P Member

NA

Male

NA

Laxmi compound, Main road, Sullia.
Ph : 687232 & 687226

K. Bheema Bhat Agriculturist

65

Male

Brahmin

P.O. Thodikana, Sullia Taluk
Ph : 687232 & 687171

K. Vasanth Rao

50

Male

Brahmin

P.O. Thodikana, Sullia Taluk
Ph : 687126 & 687226

K. Narayana Gowda President Village Panchayath

55

Male

Gowda

Aranthodu Sullia Taluk Phone office 695224 Residence – 687228

1.

For zone of influence

Sketch map of the tank enclosed.

1.

For zone of influence

Village map enclosed

2.

For zone of influence

Village map enclosed

1.

Habitat type

The Hotspot is a small river flowing in a mountainous area. There are no deep and wide pools in the area. On the upstream, it is a natural forest with cultivated land on either side. The water is clear and flows with a gradient of 3 meters to 100 meters run. Gravelly bottom with clear water with riffles are common in the flow course.

2.

Local name (if any)

Mathsyatheertha (Sacred pool of fishes)

3.

Approximate total area (in ha)

250 meters flowing area of the river with an average width of 30 meters. But there are two spots of dense congregation each, measuring about 25 square meters on the upper and lower reaches of the vented dam.

4.

Special significance of the habitat type (if any)

The special significance of the Hotspot is the presence of large number of small sized fishes of Mahseer when compared to other fish sanctuaries of Karnataka.

5.

Management regimes

The fish sanctuary is adjacent to Mallikarjuna temple of Thodikana and managed by the trustees of the temple and local people. From the Government side it is the Department of Fisheries which is looking after the technical and administrative aspect of the fisheries wealth.

6.

Goods and services provided by the habitat

The water gives shelter to many species of aquatic life besides meeting the local irrigation and domestic needs.

7.

Bads and disservices provided by the habitat

Nil

8.

Significant ecological processes influenced by the habitat

The perennial river is giving protection to an important and rare species of fish to live in abundance.

9.

Significant man-induced processes influenced by the habitat

Department and Fisheries constructed a vented dam in the year 2000 at a cost of Rs. 2 lakhs for storing water and for adequate shelter for the fishes during summer months. During the year 2003, the Department improved the road communication to the spot at a cost of Rs. 26 lakhs

10.

Interacting individuals and institutions (local)

The local people, the trustees of Sri. Mallikarjuna temple and the Mandal Panchayath also provide facilities to visitors.

11.

Activities

Conservation efforts :

The temple authorities and devotees feed the fishes and protect. The Department of Fisheries assists local people in conservation of the fishes.

12.

Interacting individual and institutions (External)

Devotees of Sri. Mallikarjuna temple visiting the place invariably visit and observer the fishes. The officials of the Department of Fisheries stationed at Mangalore also have a strict vigil of the Hot spot.

13.

Activities

Devotees feed the fishes and enjoy the sight of fish congregation.

1.

Type and name of the habitat patch

It is a small river or stream called Matsyatheertha

2.

Change in

i

Area

No significant change since last 15 years. But local people say that the eater flow course has changed 50 years ago from the right side of the temple to the left side.

ii

Vegetation strata

Cultivation of areca and rubber in the region has changed the nature of vegetation on banks of the river in abundance and composition.

3.

Aquatic habitat change in

i

Catchment area

No much

ii

Aquatic fauna

Not much

iii

Aquatic flora

Not significant.

4.

Significant ecological process influencing the habitat patch

Nil

5.

Significant man-induced processes influencing the habitat patch

Increased agricultural activities and stream banks bunding have affected the water availability and flow. Improvement of road communication to the village coupled with the development of the temple is attracting more people to the place. It is said 15 kms downstream of the spot at a place called Alatti there was an important fish pool called Meenagundi where bigger fishes used to take shelter. Regular feeding of rice to the fishes of the pool was being done with the help of one acre of paddy field reserved and provided for this purpose by the authorities of Dharmasthala temple.

This feeding was stopped owing to transfer of land after reforms. On account of the discharge of effluents of a rubber factory and domestic sewage of Sullia town the pool is virtually not providing shelter to the fishes now.

6.

Productivity of Goods at Services

River water is used for agricultural purposes and also for domestic needs.

7.

Extent of Bads and Disservices

Nil

8.

Reasons for ongoing changes

Increase of human pressure in the region.

9.

Gainers

Human beings

10.

Loosers

Natural aquatic life.

11.

Desired changes / Desired future

It is necessary to desilt the river area and also create adequate depth so as to enable fishes to take shelter during lean season.

12.

Desired management system

200 mts length and 30 mts width of river Payaswani near Mallikarjuna temple may be declared as sanctuary. A committee consisting of fisheries. Forest Department and Trusses of Mallikarjuna temple may be constituted to under take development and management of the sanctuary.

13.

Suggested component for feasible management plan for the habitat patch

•  The Department of Fisheries should declare the area as a ‘fish sanctuary' organize feeding of fishes and watch and ward.

•  Mathsyatheertha pond should be deepened annually.

•  It may be considered to have cross bund irrigation system as followed in Shishila village.

•  The Department of Forest should prevent encroachment and conserve forest area.

•  A committee consisting of local Trustees, Forest, Fisheries, Revenue, Irrigation Taluk Panchayath and Village Panchayath may be constituted to promote the conservation and management of the Hotspot area.

14

Worst disaster

According to local people, the river had dried only twice during the last 20 years (1983-84 & 2002-03). There was fish mortality during the year 1991- 92, 2000 & 2003 (April months) due to decreased flow and warm conditions.

IV. FISH SPECIES

Order

:

Cypriniformes

Family

:

CYPRINIDAE

Subfamily

:

Danioninae (=Rasborinae)

Tribe

:

Oxygasterini

Genus

:

Salmostoma Swainson

1

Salmostoma acinaces (Valenciennes)

Silver razor belly minnow

Sampaj

2

Salmostoma boopis (Day)

Boopis razor- billy minnow

Sampaj

Tribe

:

Danionini

Genus

:

Danio Hamilton-Buchanan

3

Danio aequipinnatus (Mc Clelland)

Gaint Danio

Arshina Patte

Genus

:

Rasbora Bleeker

4

Rasbora daniconius

Black-line Rasbora

Midun

(Hamilton-Buchanan)

Sub family

:

Cyprininae

Tribe

:

Cyprinini

Sub-Tribe

:

Tores

Genus

:

Tor Gray

5

Tor khudree (Sykes)

Deccan Mahseer

Bili meenu

Tribe

:

Systomini

Sub-Tribe

:

Systomi

Genus

:

Puntius (Hamilton-Buchanan)

6

Puntius amphibious (Valenciennes)

Scarlet-banded barb

Gende

7

Puntius fasciatus fasciatus (Day)

Melon barb

Pakke

8

Puntius filamentosus (Valenciennes)

Black-spot barb

Kijan

9

Puntius ticto (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Ticto Barb

Bud-pakke

Tribe

:

Semiplotini

Genus

:

Osteochilichthys (Hora)

10

Osteochilichthys nashi (Day)

Konti Barb

Konti

Subfamily

:

Oreininae

Genus

:

Garra Hamilton – Buchanan

11

Garra gotyla stenorhynchus (Jerdon)

Nilgiris Garra

Kallu – korava

Family

:

BALITORIDAE

Sub family

:

Nemacheilinae

Genus

:

Schistura McClellad

12

Schistura denisoni denisoni (Day)

Nemacheilus

Murangi

Genus

:

Mesonemacheilus Banaresus & Nalbant

13

Mesonemacheilus triangularis (Day)

Nemacheilus

Murangi

Order

:

Siluriformes

Family

:

BAGRIDAE

Subfamily

:

Bagrinae

Genus

:

Mystus Scopoli

14

Mystus malabaricus (Jerdon)

Jerdons Mystus

Girlu

Order

:

Beloniformes

Suborder

:

Belonoidei C= Exocoetoidei)

Family

:

BELONIDAE

Genus

:

Strongylura Van Hasselt

15

Stronglyura strongylura (Van Hasselt)

Spot – tail needle fish

Surali

Order

:

Cyprinodontiformes

Family

:

APLOCHEILIDAE

Subfamily

:

Aplocheilinae

Genus

:

Aplocheilus Mc Clelland

16

Aplocheilus lineatus (Valenciennes)

Killi fish

Moogu malli

Order

:

Synbranchiformes

Suborder

:

Mastacembeloidei

Family

:

MASTACEMBELIDAE

Subfamily

:

Mastacembelinae

Genus

:

Mastacembelus Scopoli

17

Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepede)

Spiny Eel

Havu meenu

Order

:

Perciformes

Suborder

:

Percoidei

Family

:

CHANDIDAE (= AMBASSIDAE)

Genus

:

Parambassis Bleeker

18

Parambassis ranga

(Hamilton- Buchanan)

Glass fish

Bachinke Meenu

Sub order

:

Channoidei

Family

:

CHANNIDAE

Genus

:

Channa Scopoli

19

Channa marulius (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Giant Snake-head

Avulu

20

Channa orientalis (Schenider)

Asiatic Snake-head

Mottu

21

Channa straiatus (Bloch)

Stripped snake-head

Kuchchu

Most common local name of the species (Language )

Peruvol (Taulu)

Scientific name of the species

Tor khudree (Sykes).

Habitat favoured

Pollution free flowing water.

Value to local community

As a ‘sacred fish' which attracts visitors. /pilgrims.

Major uses / Ill-effects

Attraction to temple visitors; cleans the water.

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

Mahseer is listed as an endangered species; as such it is necessary to protect it.

Most common name of the species

Mahseer

Scientific name

Tor khudree (Sykes)

Most common local name of variety

Peruvol

Existing management authority :

Department of Fisheries and the Temple authorities.

Fish breeding season

Post-monsoon.

Fishing methods (Types of nets used)

Fishing is prohibited

Current level of abundance

Fishes of smaller sizes are in abundance.

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

Not significant

Significant ecological processes influencing the species

Not applicable

Significant man-induced processes influencing the species

Aquatic life may be effected on account of irrigation by pumping and pollution by pesticides.

Reasons for the ongoing change

Increase in human activities

Gainers – Internal / External

Local People

Losers – Internal / External

Aquatic plants and animals

Desired changes / desired future

The area may be declared as sanctuary. The depth of the river may be suitably increased for fishes to take shelter.

Desired management system

The Department of Fisheries, Forest and Temple Trustees may take up development and management of the Sanctuary.

Suggested component for a feasible management plan for the species

•  Detailed survey of river payaswini may be undertaken. Feeding rounds the fishes identified and these areas should be protected.

•  Mathsyatheertha area should be deepened annually.

a)

Perspectives of Others :

Management issues pertaining to

•  Habitat and or :

•  Species / variety

e)

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

As per belief, the Mahseer fish is considered as God Vishnu's incarnation. People of the area worship the fish and prevent their killing. They regularly offer rice and protect them. Devotees visiting the temple invariable visit the river point and feed the fishes. It is also a source of recreation and a place of scenic beauty to people who visit the area as tourists. It provides a cultural and religious link between the people of Coorg and Dakshina Kannada.

f

Ecological evaluation of the Hotspot

Thodikana Hot spot is a very important ecological area of Mahseer congregation and as such deserves to be conserved and studied intensively.

g.

Suggested follow-up investigations

Intensive study of the feeding, breeding habits, growth and migration of these fishes may be under taken to manage the Hotspot scientifically.

h.

Any other suggested follow up

Immediate action should be taken to declare the Hotspot as a fish sanctuary and organize awareness camps.