Report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel - Part II : Actionable points for the WGEA : 2.4 Fisheries : Issues of Concern

Opinion
       26/11/2018
                1569.

Sub : Report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel - Part II : Actionable points for the WGEA : 2.4 Fisheries : Issues of Concern

Ref : 2.4 Fisheries : Issues of Concern

2.4 Fisheries :

Depletion of the fishery resources is a serious issue in the Western Ghats region. Compared to marine fish resources / biodiversity, the freshwater fish diversity is on the decline due to various reasons. Traditionally the conservation and management of fishery resources were vested with local communities, but this has now been altered. Several innovative measures are required to revive this highly valued resource and to use it in a sustainable manner on account of its relevance in livelihood improvement and food security. There is a need to re-address these issues with the fisheries department and other impacting sectors to reorient conservation measures in a participatory mode. Furthermore, local fish consumption has been a traditional source of protein for local people from time immemorial.

2.4.1 - Issues of Concern :

 Habitat loss, including loss of mangroves

 Pollution due to pesticides, industrial effluents/other sources

 Waste dumping in rivers

 Improper river maintenance and management

 Unscientific methods of collection (use of poisons, electro-fishing, dynamiting etc.)

 Impoundments in rivers, check dams

 Introduction of exotic fishes

 Destruction/loss of breeding grounds

 Fish diseases

 Over-exploitation

 Unauthorised ornamental fish trade

 Sand mining

 Excessive tourism activities in freshwater lakes

 Decline of indigenous species due to introduction of exotic and alien fishes species

2.4.2 - Examples from Kerala :

1. In Periyar Lake, which is well known as one of the biodiversity hotspots of Kerala, exotic species such as Cyprinus carpio have already established breeding populations and contribute more than 70 percent of the exploited stock.

2. A high percentage of diet overlap exists between native fish species like Tor khudree, Gonoproktopterus curmuca, Lepidopygopsis typus and exotic species like tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

3. There are established populations of tilapia in almost all rivers of Kerala.

4. The exotic high-yielding African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is another potential danger to indigenous species.

5. Alien species such as catla (Catla catla), rohu (Laboe rohita) and mrigal (Cyrrhinus mrigala) have been cultured in most of the reservoirs and ponds of Kerala and this has led to a gradual reduction of the endemic fish populations in these water bodies.

2.4.3 - Water quality :

1. Agriculture in the catchment areas has aggravated water pollution by the application of chemical pesticides.

2. Industries discharge effluents containing heavy metals such as mercury, zinc and cadmium above the permitted level; this has resulted in mortality of fishes in the major rivers. The ammonia content of effluents discharged into the rivers is also above permissible limits.

3. Pollutants such as acids, alkalis, fluorides and radioactive materials were detected in the effluent waters of industries in the Cochin area as a result of which the Eloor-Varappuzha areas of the Cochin backwaters are being transformed into a barren contaminated zone.

2.4.4 - Measures for Mitigation/Improvement :

 Regular monitoring of fish wealth to assess the health/ diversity of the fish population.

 Banning the use of plastics which settle at the bottom of water bodies and lakes and affect breeding of some species.

 Management measures aimed at conserving freshwater fish biodiversity to be incorporated into the fishery policy.

 The database on population size and geographical distribution of endangered and endemic species should be strengthened by undertaking extensive micro-geographical surveys. Information on area of distribution and micro-geographical characteristics of the habitats of these ecologically sensitive fishes will be inputs for establishment of aquatic reserves for the conservation of these species.

 Information regarding migration, breeding behaviour and spawning grounds of threatened fishes should be generated through extensive surveys and analysis. Such a database is essential for both ex situ and in situ conservation of the species.

 Techniques should be developed for the captive breeding and broodstock development of fishes of potential economic importance.

 Brood stock maintenance centres and hatcheries should be established exclusively for indigenous, endangered and critically endangered fishes for their in situ conservation and aqua ranching as a substitute for their natural recruitment.

 Investigation on the invasive nature of exotic species in the natural habitats should be carried out. The functioning of the committee constituted under the Government of India to quarantine and control introduction of exotic species should be made more effective and foolproof.

 Strict vigilance and monitoring, including enforcement of laws, to be ensured to reduce the loss of the natural breeding grounds of the fishes arising from reclamation of paddy and wetlands.

 Strengthen awareness programmes to ensure the sustainability and survival of fish resources.

 Regulation on fishing, during breeding seasons in freshwater environs to restore natural/ wild stock

 Establishment of fish sanctuaries

 Sand mining and other activities which destroy the habitat of many endemic fishes to be restricted.

 Live-fencing using native plant species instead of stone walls to be encouraged for protecting river banks.

 River Management Funds to be utilised for activities related to river health programmes and not for construction or other developmental activities.

 Regulation of ornamental fish collection from the wild.

2.4.5 - Box 3: Vaitarana Fish Sanctuary (Maharashtra): Parineeta Dandekar, 22 May 2011 (communicated to Madhav Gadgil)
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. When on a field visit to dams in the Vaitarna and surrounding basins, I came across a beautiful fish sanctuary in the Tilase village of Wada Taluka in Thane District and thought this might be of interest to you.

2. The site is downstream of the upper Vaitarna Dam and is predominantly a ravine in hard rock. On the banks of this stretch is the Mandikeshwar Shiv Temple. The area on the adjoining bank has deep pools with perennial water availability and there is a wonderful congregation of Deccan Mahseer here.

3. The fish are not accustomed to being fed much and do not leap out like the fish at Shringeri or Chipplagudde, but the size of these Mahseer is definitely bigger than their counterparts in Tunga.

4. There is a fishing ban in this stretch and when I suggested looking closely at the fish, I was told that they are sacred and do not get caught in nets/

5. However, activities like washing clothes and utensils do take place at the very same

6. I was told that there was a major fish kill some five years ago when water from the upstream reservoir was not released for an extended period.

7. Now, there is one more reservoir, the Middle Vaitarna, the tallest dam in Maharashtra, coming up just upstream of this region, between this site and the original Upper Vaitarna Dam.

2.4.6. Action points for Western Ghats Ecological Authority :

 The various polices and legal measures available have to be coordinated and implemented through user agencies at both Central and State governments to achieve desired effects on conservation of freshwater fishes.

 Appropriate measures need to be evolved to prevent illegal conversion and encroachment on water bodies.

NEXT : 2.5 Forests and Biodiversity

To be continued ...

OPINION :

1. DEAR READERS YOU ARE FOLLOWING THIS VITAL REPORT ANONG WITH ME;

2. AS FAR I AM CONCERNED THIS REPORT IS BRILLIANTLY NARRATED, WITH LOT OF WORKS TO BE FOLLOWED AND TO BE EXECUTED /IMPLEMENTED HONESTLY, SINCERELY, AND LOT OF DEDICATION, HARD WORK NECESSARY BY THE STATE GOVERNMENTS CONCERNED WITH WESTERN GHATS;

3. AS FAR KERALA IS CONCERNED : YEAR 2011 REPORT IS NOT YET IMPLEMENTED TILL THIS DAY 2018;

4. 8 YEARS PASSED SINCE THE REPORT WAS SUBMITTED, COMMUNAL CONGRESS AND BLOOD-THIRSTY ARROGANT ROGUES THE CO-BROTHER COMMUNISTS NEVER TOOK INTEREST TO IMPLEMENT THIS REPORT FOR THE PRESERVATION OF WESTERN GHATS;

5. BOTH THESE RASCALS UDF AND LDF : FOR THEM PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF VARIOUS MAFIA GROUPS WHO DESTROY THE ECO-SYSTEM OF WESTERN GHATS FOR PERSONAL GAINS;

6. EVEN POLITICAL PARTIES WITHIN THE TWO FRONTS HAVE MORE INTEREST AS THEY THEMSELVES ARE MAFIA GROUPS;

7. AFTER DISASTROUS CORRUPTION INFLICTED COMMUNAL CUM FUNDAMENTAL CONGRESS FAILED, LDF CAME TO POWER PROMISING ALL RIGHT ONCE THEY GET POWER;

8. BUT THESE BUGGERS DIDN'T DO ANY THING; MIS HANDLED OCHI DISASTER; WHEN KERALA WAS UNDER PRESSURE WITH HEAVY RAINS THIS FOOLISH COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT OPENED ALL DAMS SHUTTERS AT MIDNIGHT, SETTING ANOTHER DISASTER OF FLOODS, LOSING LIFE, PROPERTY OF THE PEOPLE;

9. DEAR FRIENDS LOOK AT THIS GOVERNMENT, FOOLS SOON STARTED IMPLEMENTING SC VERDICT, AND WITH PERSONAL INITIATIVE COMMUNISTS TOOK WOMEN UNDER REPRODUCTIVE AGE WITH POLICE ESCORT TO SANNIDHANAM;

10. THE UNITED HINDUS STRONGLY PROTESTED, ESPECIALLY LARGE WOMEN TOOK PART TO PRESERVE THE PURITY OF SABARIMALA;

11. BOTH UDF AND LDF MIS-HANDLED THE ISSUE, BOTH SCORING POINTS, BY     ABUSING THE OTHER, DROPPING TEMPLE  PURITY UNDER THEIR FEET;

12. HOWEVER BJP TOOK THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADING PEOPLE IN THE FRONT AND SUCCESSFUL IN PREVENTING THE DEMONS COMMUNISTS AND CONGRESS TEAM.

LAST WORD :

DEAR BROTHER AND SISTERS DO NOT FALL PREY TO POLITICIANS LIKE COMMUNISTS AND CONGRESS, USE COMMON SENSE AND INTELLECT TO OVERCOME AND DEFEAT THE ASURIC POLITICIANS.

JAIHIND
VANDE MATARAM

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