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Yamuna Barrages to Get Fish Ladders for Native Fish
6 Aug
Summary
- Fish ladders will be installed at Wazirabad, Okhla, and Hathnikund barrages.
- Native fish species are declining, while exotic species are increasing.
- NGT ordered restoration of native fish populations in the Yamuna River.
The Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) has directed Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to construct "fish ladders" at the Wazirabad, Okhla, and Hathnikund barrages. These structures are designed to aid the upstream migration of native fish species, a crucial step for their survival. This directive comes after a survey between 2020 and 2024 revealed a concerning trend: native fish populations are decreasing, while exotic species are becoming more prevalent.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has consequently ordered the states along the Yamuna to prioritize the restoration of native fish populations and curb the proliferation of invasive species. Factors such as habitat alteration, water pollution, and dam construction fragment rivers and block migration routes. The UYRB's initiative to install fish ladders, especially during the monsoon when water quality improves, is expected to offer vital support to native fish.
Officials anticipate that ongoing schemes to improve the river's environmental flow and water quality over the next 2-3 years will further enhance its capacity to support fish life. Beyond fish ladders, the NGT has also mandated measures like banning juvenile fishing, strengthening monitoring, and strategic ranching of native species in different stretches of the river.
