Home / Environment / Ganga's Fish Population Roars Back to Life!
Ganga's Fish Population Roars Back to Life!
15 Jan
Summary
- Ganga river hosts 230 fish species, highest in over 50 years.
- Restoration efforts involved releasing over 20 crore fish fingerlings.
- Hilsa fish tagged and released show gradual range extension upstream.
The Ganga river, a vital artery flowing through India, has witnessed a significant revival in its aquatic life. Recent surveys conducted by the ICAR-CIFRI have identified 230 distinct fish species, marking the highest diversity recorded in approximately 50 years. This impressive recovery follows decades of decline, with the species count having fallen from 271 in 1822 to a low of 110 in 1998.
Significant conservation initiatives spearheaded by ICAR-CIFRI have been instrumental in this turnaround. The institute undertook extensive ranching activities, releasing over 20.34 crore fingerlings of Indian Major Carps and Mahseer into the river. These efforts, coupled with the release of Hilsa eggs and spawn, aim to bolster fish stocks and restore the riverine ecosystem's health.
The impact of these interventions is evident in increased fish landings, with notable percentage rises observed in areas like Prayagraj and Varanasi. The re-establishment of Hilsa in upstream regions further signifies a positive trend, demonstrating the effectiveness of sustained conservation strategies in revitalizing the Ganga's biodiversity.
