FISHES OF THE UPPER STRETCH OF RIVER TAWA, MADHYA PRADESH AND THEIR CONSERVATION STATUS

Abstract

There has been world wide decline of fish diversity, both in freshwater as well as in marine water (Chakraborty et al., 2010). Nelson(1976) estimated 21723 fish species under 4044 genera, 445 families and 50 orders globally. India is recognized as one among the twelve mega biodiversity countries of the world with two biodiversity hot spots, the Northeast region and the Western Ghats (Chakraborty et al., 2010). The country is blessed with vast and varied fish germplasm resources distributed widely in various aquatic ecosystems (Sarkar et al., 2008). The Indian fish fauna has been estimated as 2500 species, of which 930 species belonging to 326 genera have been reported from inland waters (Jayaram, 1999). Madhya Pradesh, the second largest land locked state in India, is well known for its natural resources viz. river systems, hill ranges and floral and faunal biodiversity. The State is bestowed with several rivers. Tawa, a tributary of river Narmada, is one of the important rivers of the State. A number of ichthyologists have studied the fish diversity and systematics of central India including Madhya Pradesh (Saxena et al., 2005; Lakra and Sarkar, 2007; Lakra et al., 2010; Sharma, 2007; Heda, 2009; Vyas et al., 2009; Sarkar et al., 2012). In spite of this, the literature available on fish fauna in the upper stretch of river Tawa is scanty; data are either too old or have not been updated. Riverine ecology and fisheries are subject to intense pressure from a wide range of anthropogenic disturbances adversely affecting their biodiversity, including that of fish (Sarkar et al., 2010). The impacts of threats such as thermal power plant discharge, shoreline development, water pollution, etc. have led to perceptible decline in fish stocks in river Tawa (Shrivastava and Das, 2000). The conservation of fish diversity is thus important, not only from economic point of view, but also on aesthetic and social point of view (Jha, 2002). In order to preserve the diversity, appropriate conservation strategies and action plan based on empirical data would be necessary . The aim of this study was to document the fish diversity, evaluate threats and assess conservation status of fishes along the upper stretch of river Tawa.