Find Mahseer: fresh water fish is growing more scarce | Photo credit: Jonnysek
Flowing through the Mokokchung and Longleng districts in Navaland, the Dikhu River forms the picturesque Valle de Tsüla (Dikhu), a popular tourist place. Today, the river, a lifeguard for local biodiversity, faces a double blow of destructive fishing and climate change.
A tributary of the powerful Brahmaputra River, Dikhu supports a wide variety of aquatic life, many of which are in the heart of the AO and Sumi tribes. To help
The research team, led by Dr. Pranay Pankaj, of the Department of Zoeology, University of Navaland, in collaboration with the National Office of Genetic Resources of the Agricultural Research Council of India, studied the reasons for the reasons for the population of fish that falls. Collecting fish samples throughout the year, they investigated current fishing practices, traditional methods, the level of awareness about conservation and the role of climate change, among other factors.
The study, published in the Treeated Taxones MagazineHe registered 28 species of fish in six orders and 13 families. He found that, based on ecological fishing methods, which involve bamboo traps and gill networks, there is a growing change towards the use of dynamite, fine mesh fish, electrocution and poison chemical products.
Small network, great concern
“When we were small, the fish were large; now we are large, the fish has become small,” a tribal woman lamented with the duration of Dr. Pankaj, a field visit, referring to the reduced size of the Mahseer (Mahseer (Mahseer (((Mahseer (((Mahseer (Tor putitora), A fresh water fish that once weighed 10-12 kg. Now, “they are catching Mahseeers as small as 1-2 kg using small networks. They are only babies. They (tribal) do not know that fish can grow up to 17 kg,” Dr. Pankaj told Businessline, pointing out Lon-Generation. Knowolde
Climate change has also played a role in the alteration of reproduction patterns and the reduction of the fish population, he added. In addition, poaching hunters are increasingly active at night, even more endangering fish stocks, he said.
River Guardian
To reverse the damage and help the river recover, Dr. Pankaj emphasized the need to establish a fish sanctuary, similar to a wildlife sanctuary. “The reproduction zones must be mapped. Some areas of the river are more suitable for fish breeding. If destroying that, then the fish population will be reduced,” he said, he added: “Most of the rivers in Nagaland delighted very fast. Fast. Fast. Fast. Fast. Fast. Fast. Fast. Included in the ‘Greenzones’ protects the fish ecosystem.” “
Moreoover, the locals must be aware of these developments and guided to alternative sources to avoid overexploitation of the aquatic ecosystem, he suggested.
While much of traditional knowledge can be faded, some conservation ethics remain strong. Duration A field visit, Dr. Pankaj and his team observed a tribal man refrain from hunting a unique bird that crossed his way. When asked why, he replied that the bird was mature and can put eggs in the short term; If you sing now, it will damage the next generation.
The same ethical hunting spirit must now go to the aquatic life of the river.
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Posted on April 13, 2025