AQUATIC FISH BIODIVERSITY IN NORTHEAST INDIA: AN ANALYSIS OF STATUS, THREATS, AND CONSERVATION STRATEGIES USING QUANTIFIED SWOT FRAMEWORK

Abstract

Northeast India, encompassing eight states within two globally recognised biodiversity hotspots, harbours exceptional freshwater fish diversity. This review synthesises data from 187 studies published between 2000 and 2025 to assess species distribution, endemism, threats, and conservation strategies across the region. Regional fish diversity ranges from 162 to 422 species, with Assam recording the highest richness (216 species), followed by Arunachal Pradesh (167) and Meghalaya (165). Cyprinidae constitutes the most diverse family, accounting for 36.5% of documented species. Of 186 evaluated species, 33.16% are endemic, 33.85% serve primarily as food fish, and 28.44% hold ornamental value. A quantified SWOT analysis, scored on a 1 to 5 scale across magnitude, geographical extent, and temporal persistence, identified exceptional biodiversity (4.7/5) as the foremost strength, while habitat alteration (4.5/5), climate change (4.3/5), and water pollution (4.3/5) emerged as the most critical threats. Capture fisheries across the region's rivers, reservoirs, and wetlands, covering approximately 842,339 ha, are estimated to yield an annual production potential of around 88,951 metric tons, representing a provisioning service value of approximately 1,334 crores (US$ 0.14 billion). Conservation approaches integrating strong community participation consistently demonstrated higher effectiveness. Priority conservation zones were identified based on species richness, endemism, and threat levels. The study recommends adopting a One Health framework to address the interconnections among aquatic ecosystem health, fish biodiversity, and human wellbeing in this globally significant region.