Conservation. More power to the mahseer

Conserving the mahseer , an endangered species of fish, has become paramount for Tata Power, which has launched a sustainable programme to protect it.

The company has opted for a three-pronged approach to educate, engage and empower consumers. Its recently rolled out ‘Act for Mahseer’ public campaign aims to spread awareness about the species.

But why is an integrated power company dabbling in fish conservation?

Responding to BusinessLine ’s queries, Tata Power CEO Anil Sardana said the mahseer is under “severe threat from overfishing, loss of habitat, decline in quality of habitat resulting in loss of breeding grounds, and from other anthropogenic effects that have directly resulted in declines in harvest in several locations.”

Tata Power has been “committed to the cause of sustainability, and implements all such initiatives under its CARE programmes in the area of environment, societal commitment, biodiversity, as also conservation of resources”, he added.

Tata Power, as part of its eco-development programme, undertook pisciculture in 1970 to conserve and rehabilitate the mahseer and the Indian trout.

With around 300 fishery scientists continuing conservation efforts, Tata Power has a modern hatchery for mahseer at Walwhan, Lonavla. Over the last 40 years, over 13 million fertilised eggs have been obtained and over seven million fingerlings of mahseer have been produced to stock water bodies nationwide as well as internationally, the company pointed out.

Efforts are also being made to convince the locals that they would lose out on a lucrative tourism market if the efforts for the conservation of the mahseer do not succeed.

The mahseer is known to be tough and is inclined to travel upstream in fast flowing waters, and against the tide. Perhaps these qualities are keeping the species afloat.

COMMENT NOW