Inland Fisheries

7.2.7.1 Himalayan region

A large number of rivers, rivulets, and streams form a vast network in the central Himalayan Mountains (Garhwal and Kumaun region) and have a large no. of indigenous fish species. About 68 species of fish are reported from Garhwal region. Major rivers of Garhwal are the Alakand, the Mandakini, the Bhagirathi, the Asiganga, the Bhilaganga, the Ganga, the Nayar and the Pinder.

Important fish species are: Schizothorax spp., Tor spp., Garra gotyla, Labeo spp., Crossocheilus latius, Glyptothorax, Psedechenies, Barilius spp., Noemacheilus spp., Puntius spp., Botia spp., Homaloptera, Danio, Mastacembelus, Channa, Lepidocephalichthys etc.

The fisheries of Himalayan region are poorly developed primarily due to difficult terrain and its inaccessibility. Low temperature allows scanty production of primary and secondary level organisms. Due to low biological productivity, most coldwater fishes in this region are generally of small size in contrast to their counterparts and hence commercial fisheries virtually non-existent except in the man-made reservoirs and natural lakes in the Siwalik Himalayas.