The Hindu Business Line : 20 fish species in Meenachil endangered: Study

OF the 53 species of fish found in the Meenachil river, over 20 are categorised as vulnerable, endangered and threatened or critically endangered, according to a study. The river is the lifeline of central Travancore, flowing through Alapuzha, Kottayam and the western part of Idukki district, with a total length of 78 kms. The river is formed by several streams originating in the Western Ghats.

The rampant sand mining at several places, the loss of vegetation on the banks in the upper reaches as well as of feeding streams, the diversion of water from the catchment area to the Idukki dam through the tunnel, pollution from solid wastes, unscientific construction of check dams etc are some of the threats to aquatic fauna, says the study.

The study on `Know your river - Meenachil Fish Count 2004 ' was sponsored by the Kottayam Nature Society with the technical support of the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Kumarakom, Directorate of Field Publicity and Department of Forests and Wildlife. The study is the first attempt of its kind in the country, the sponsors claimed.

The study was organised to focus the attention on the critical problems of water, forest, land and biodiversity endowment of the river Meenachil.

Although a variety of methods for stream inventory are available, the method described by Armantrout (1992) and followed by the American Fisheries Society was adopted in the study. Over 200 participants from various walks of life including naturalists, researchers, professionals and faculty members and students of universities voluntarily participated in the count.

Each team was provided with a separate set of sampling equipment, fishing gears, water analysis kits, data sheets and instruction sheets and fish identification brochures to undertake the assignment scientifically. The river inventory work started at the stroke of 6 A.M. at all stations continued till 10 A.M. after covering a distance of 4 km riverine stretch.

Out of the 600-odd fresh water fishes recorded in India, over 210 species are available in Kerala indicating the richness of the piscean fauna in our river systems. This biodiversity is our national wealth and it is the duty of the State to protect and conserve these resources.

The greatest threat to biodiversity is the ignorance or unawareness of what it really comprises. Dr K.G. Padmakumar, NATP-Fish Germplasm Project of RARS, supervised the overall activities at all levels with the active co-operation of Dr G. Sunil, Co-ordinator, Meenachil Fish Count.

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