AQUATIC
HOTSPOT
Thodikana |
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION |
Name of the Hotspot |
Thodikana Mathsyatheertha. |
Focal species |
Mahseer – Tor kudree (Sykes) |
Coordinating Team |
Prof. Madhav Gadgil & Team |
Investigating Team |
H.N. Chandrashekharaiah, M.F. Rahman, K. Shyam Bhat and Dr. G. V. Kowtal |
Dates of data collection |
From 17.10.2003 to 31.10.2003 |
Source of information |
Sri. Sureshkumar, Deputy Director of Fisheries, Mangalore. Sri. Ganesh, Assistant Director of Fisheries, Mangalore. Sri. K. Vasantha Rao, Thodikana Sri. K. Bheema Bhat. Sri. K. Dhananjaya Adpangaya, Sullia. Sri. K. Narayana Gowda, Aranthodu. |
Process of data collection |
Survey and enquiry. |
Number of man-days consumed in data collection |
12 man-days |
SETTING |
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' |
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 |
THREATS AND SUPPORTIVE RESTORATION ACTIVITIES |
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 |
LIST OF KNOWLEDGE INDIVIDUALS |
Name |
Age |
Sex |
Community |
Address of Expertise |
Dhananjaya Adpangaya, Z.P Member |
NA |
Male |
NA |
Laxmi compound, Main road, Sullia. |
K. Bheema Bhat Agriculturist |
65 |
Male |
Brahmin |
P.O. Thodikana, Sullia Taluk |
K. Vasanth Rao |
50 |
Male |
Brahmin |
P.O. Thodikana, Sullia Taluk |
K. Narayana Gowda President Village Panchayath |
55 |
Male |
Gowda |
Aranthodu Sullia Taluk Phone office 695224 Residence – 687228 |
HABITATS |
(a)Preparation of sketch map of the landscape : | ||
1. |
For zone of influence |
Sketch map of the tank enclosed. |
a) | Preparation of sketch map of the landscape : | |
1. |
For zone of influence |
Village map enclosed |
2. |
For zone of influence |
Village map enclosed |
b) Description of Habitat types | ||
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. |
c) | History of important habitat patches over 10-15 / 40-50 years. | |
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. |
LIFE SCAPE |
i PLANKTON | ||
PHYTOPLANKTON | ||
Myxophyceae: Spirulina | ||
Chlorophyceae: Spirogyra Ulothrix | ||
Bacillariophyceae: Synedra Cosmarium | ||
ZOOPLANKTON | ||
Protozoa: Amoeba Arcella | ||
Rotifera: Filinia | ||
Ostracoda: Cypris | ||
ii BENTHOS | ||
a)Insects | ||
Order: Hemiptera | ||
Family: GERRIDAE | ||
1. Gerris spinolae Leth. & Sev. | ||
iii AQUATIC WEEDS | Not recorded |
IV. FISH SPECIES |
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Scientific name | Common English name | Kannada name | ||
Order |
: |
Cypriniformes |
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Family |
: |
CYPRINIDAE |
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Subfamily |
: |
Danioninae (=Rasborinae) |
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Tribe |
: |
Oxygasterini |
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Genus |
: |
Salmostoma Swainson |
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1 |
Salmostoma acinaces (Valenciennes) |
Silver razor belly minnow |
Sampaj |
|
2 |
Salmostoma boopis (Day) |
Boopis razor- billy minnow |
Sampaj |
|
Tribe |
: |
Danionini |
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Genus |
: |
Danio Hamilton-Buchanan |
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3 |
Danio aequipinnatus (Mc Clelland) |
Gaint Danio |
Arshina Patte |
|
Genus |
: |
Rasbora Bleeker |
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4 |
Rasbora daniconius |
Black-line Rasbora |
Midun |
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(Hamilton-Buchanan) |
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Sub family |
: |
Cyprininae |
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Tribe |
: |
Cyprinini |
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Sub-Tribe |
: |
Tores |
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Genus |
: |
Tor Gray |
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5 |
Tor khudree (Sykes) |
Deccan Mahseer |
Bili meenu |
|
Tribe |
: |
Systomini |
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Sub-Tribe |
: |
Systomi |
||
Genus |
: |
Puntius (Hamilton-Buchanan) |
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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 |
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Genus |
: |
Osteochilichthys (Hora) |
||
10 |
Osteochilichthys nashi (Day) |
Konti Barb |
Konti |
|
Subfamily |
: |
Oreininae |
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Genus |
: |
Garra Hamilton – Buchanan |
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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 |
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13 |
Mesonemacheilus triangularis (Day) |
Nemacheilus |
Murangi |
|
Order |
: |
Siluriformes |
||
Family |
: |
BAGRIDAE |
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Subfamily |
: |
Bagrinae |
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Genus |
: |
Mystus Scopoli |
||
14 |
Mystus malabaricus (Jerdon) |
Jerdons Mystus |
Girlu |
|
Order |
: |
Beloniformes |
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Suborder |
: |
Belonoidei C= Exocoetoidei) |
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Family |
: |
BELONIDAE |
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Genus |
: |
Strongylura Van Hasselt |
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15 |
Stronglyura strongylura (Van Hasselt) |
Spot – tail needle fish |
Surali |
|
Order |
: |
Cyprinodontiformes |
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Family |
: |
APLOCHEILIDAE |
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Subfamily |
: |
Aplocheilinae |
||
Genus |
: |
Aplocheilus Mc Clelland |
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16 |
Aplocheilus lineatus (Valenciennes) |
Killi fish |
Moogu malli |
|
Order |
: |
Synbranchiformes |
||
Suborder |
: |
Mastacembeloidei |
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Family |
: |
MASTACEMBELIDAE |
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Subfamily |
: |
Mastacembelinae |
||
Genus |
: |
Mastacembelus Scopoli |
||
17 |
Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepede) |
Spiny Eel |
Havu meenu |
|
Order |
: |
Perciformes |
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Suborder |
: |
Percoidei |
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Family |
: |
CHANDIDAE (= AMBASSIDAE) |
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Genus |
: |
Parambassis Bleeker |
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18 |
Parambassis ranga(Hamilton- Buchanan) |
Glass fish |
Bachinke Meenu |
|
Sub order |
: |
Channoidei |
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Family |
: |
CHANNIDAE |
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Genus |
: |
Channa Scopoli |
||
19 |
Channa marulius (Hamilton-Buchanan) |
Giant Snake-head |
Avulu |
|
20 |
Channa orientalis (Schenider) |
Asiatic Snake-head |
Mottu |
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21 |
Channa straiatus (Bloch) |
Stripped snake-head |
Kuchchu |
v CRUSTACEA | |
Class: Crustacea | |
Sub class: Malacostraca | |
Order: Decapoda | |
Family: PALAEMONIDAE | |
1. Macrobrachium Spp. | |
Family: Potamonidae | |
2. Paratelphusa Spp | |
vi AMPHIBIA | |
Plylum: Chordata | |
Class: Amphibia | |
Order: Salentia | |
Suborder: Phaneroglossa | |
Family: RANIDAE | |
1. Rana cynophlyctes Schneider. | |
vii REPTILIA | |
Order: Squamata | |
Family: COLUBRIDAE | |
Sub Family: Homolopsinae | |
1. Natrix piscator (Linnaeus) | |
viii AVES | |
Family: PHALACROCORACIDAE | |
1. Phalacrocorax fuscicollis | |
2. Anhinga rufa | |
Family: ARDEIDAE | |
3. Ardeola grayii | |
4. Ardea alba |
(b) Additionalinformation on species of significance:
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. |
(C) History of magnificant species / variety
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. |
MANAGEMENT |
a) |
Perspectives of Others : |
|
1. | Desired response options of different members of local or outside communities / Institutions / government agencies / industrial or mining undertaking etc., to recorded. | The temple authorities and local people feel that the water body is to be improved by creating more water spread area and depth for the fishes to take shelter during summer months. The investigators are also of the same opinion. The Hot spot area should be demarcated and declared as a fish sanctuary under the Karnataka Inland Fisheries Act of 1996. The main reason for decreased of summer flow and drying of pools is due to water utilization for land based agricultural activities. This can be prevented only by adopting the Shishila pattern of agriculture irrigation wherein summer irrigation bunding and water supply to agricultural crops by gravity drawal from the impoundment is done. Lift irrigation and direct drawal of water from the river should be stopped. So we feel that local agriculturists should be encouraged to adopt that system by providing initial financial incentive and mass education |
2. | Significance of management issues and response options : | |
3. | Management issues pertaining to Habitat and or : Species / variety |
|
4. | Customary / Administrative | |
5. | Since how long the arrangements have been in practice | |
6. | Changes, if any in management pattern over last 10-15 / 40-50 years. | |
7. | Desired changes / Desired future | |
8. | Desired Management System | |
b) | Perspectives of Investigators | |
c) | Desired and feasible pattern of management that should be promoted in the opinion of investigators | |
d) | Suggested strategy for promoting this desired patterns of management and the communication needs for the purpose | |
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. |