Inland Fisheries

Riverine resources of cold water fishery

Riverine Resources of Cold Water Fishery (Hill Stream Fishery)

Stream is a mass of water flowing towards a lower level following the line of least resistance. The streams, depending upon their source, are either seasonal or perennial.

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, Mastecembelus, 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.

2. Kumaun Region

Five major rivers and their tributaries form a network in Kumaun region. They are Kali, W. Ramaganga, Kosi, Pinda and Gaula rivers. River Kali is the largest in Kumaun. The important species of this region are:

• Carps: Tor tor, T. putitora, Schizothorax richardsonii, S. plagiostomus, Barilius bendelisis, B. kagra, Labeo dero, L. gonius, Puntius conchonius, P. chilnoides, Garra lamta.
• Catfishes: Glyptothorax pectinopterus, Psedecheneis sulcatus
• Loaches: Noemacheilus botia, N. rupicola, N. montanus, Botia almorhae.
• Others: Channa gachua, Mastacembelus spp

Of these species, some fishes have become rare and considered threatened species due to unwanted man made activities. The exotic species introduced into the coldwater to enhance fish production are the trout (Salmo), the mirror carp, the golden carp and the tench.

Important trout hatcheries in India

Avalanche in Nilgiris; Rajamally in Kerala; Achhabal, Laribal and Harwan in Kashmir; Patlikuhal, Mahili, Barot, Chirgaon and Sangala in Himachal Pradesh; Kaldayani and Talwari in Uttar Pradesh; Bomdilla in Arunachal Pradesh; Shillong in Meghalaya.