Flood plains of Brahmaputra basin is either eutrophic or in the process of attaining higher trophic level. A recent survey has revealed that there are 3153 wetlands covering an area of 1,01232 ha comprising 1.29% of the total geographical area of Assam. These wetlands (locally known as beels ) harbour   a wide array of   ornamental fish species and they are in fact considered as fish granary of the state, producing about 160kg/ha /yr, which   can be increased by many fold. with proper strategy and management. Over exploitation of resources mainly fish from these wetlands coupled with large amount of water withdrawal or conversion of low lying land for agricultural purposes have already threatened the wetland habitats. Indiscriminate   killing of fish by using pesticides and other illegal devices is another major threat to the already depleted fishery resources of the flood plain lakes. The present   paper deals with the status of ichthyofauna of certain wetlands of upper Assam with special reference to Dibru Saikhowa biosphere reserve.

Dibrugarh University,
Assam – 786 004. India.
E-mail: mrini1@rediffmail.com