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Anshu preparing for her 2nd Everest mission, to create world record Buddha Jayanti celebrated with religious fervour Kaso inaugurates new village Don Bosco relic a sign of unity: Lowangdong Need of initiatives to develop mahseer-angling-tourism in
May 17, 2011
arunachal
pradesh
http://www.arunachaltimes.com/may11%2018.html#Need
Need of initiatives to develop mahseer-anglingtourism in arunachal pradesh Dr. Boni Amin Laskar Mahseer is a very popular name for certain group of fishes. The mention of sport with Mahseer fishing by fly bait from northeastern region of India is evidenced in the famous book “The rods in India” by H. S. Thomas in 1873. Although, the word Mahseer is still a vague; while it is mostly accepted that it might be the altered form of the Persian ‘mahisher’ where ‘mahi’ means fish, and ‘sher’ means lion, certainly referring to the fighting and sporting character. The amount of thrills and sport involved in snaring Indian Mahseer has also been claimed superlative by many, like, Lacy G. H. and Cretin E. in 1905 in “The Angler’s handbook for India”, and McDonald A. Sr. J. in 1948 in “Circumventing the Mahseer and other sporting fish in India and Burma”. Mahseer in general called as the most sought-after by the hobbyist anglers in the globe. In the taxonomic context, fish species belonging to the genera, viz., Tor and Neolissochilus, are collectively called as Mahseer for their similarities in some characteristics. Characteristically, the scales of these fishes are larger than that of other Cyprinids (fishes belonging to family Cyprinidae), and are mostly colourful (golden to coppery). The Mahseer fishes grow large, and considered largest among the Indian indigenous cyprinids. Few large growing Mahseer may attain 25-30 Kg, but, frequently found size ranges between 3-5 Kg. Mahseer fishes are valued for delicious food as well as angling sport. As game fish, India’s Mahseer are considered unparallel to European salmon; so, foreign anglers find way to India to enjoy angling of Mahseer. Although, Mahseer angling has been in practice in many of the Asian countries, like, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia; but, mostly unsurpassed everywhere in the past. In recent, the tourism based angling of Mahseer is being encouraged as a tool to protect indiscriminate killing of mighty Mahseer and to allow sustainable utilization of bioresources. Consequently, many angling-tourism agencies have come up and equipped with modern infrastructure to host and facilitate the local as well as foreign hobbyist anglers. India is not lagging behind other cosmopolitan agencies in earning revenue from this angling-tourism sector. There are established anglingtourism agencies in Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, and Karnataka. The northeastern states of India hold the potential of angling-tourism which is needed to be encouraged, while the Mahseer angling itineraries are needed to be determined and promoted. In India, there are 10 valid species of Mahseer; out of which 9 belong to genus Tor, and a solitary species under genus Neolissochilus. Possible presences of Mahseer in North East are Tor putitora, T. tor, T. progeneius, T. barakae, and
Neolissochilus hexagonolepis. Among these, Tor barakae is a very recently discovered new species of Mahseer from River Barak in Manipur (Arunkumar and Basudha, 2003), while T. progeneius (McClelland 1839) the endemic Mahseer of Assam is considered endangered. Tor putitora (Golden) and Neolissochilus hexagonolepis (Chocolate) have also been facing threats in Indian waters; concurrently both the species have received the status of state fish of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland correspondingly. The Mahseer fishes inhabit and reproduce in coldwater (temperature range of 10-25ºC) zones in rivers, they mostly remain within 10-2 degree slope (steep to gentle). In the steep region, the substratum is comprised predominantly of boulders, rocks, and cobbles; while, in gentle slope region, the substratum composition becomes cobbles, pebbles, gravels, and sands. In the Mahseer habitat, the level of dissolved oxygen remains always high due to continuous agitation and bubbling of coldwater, so, the Mahseer fishes are used to live in water having high level of dissolved oxygen (minimum 6 mg/L). In a river, there may remain multiple species of Mahseer, also diverse size classes; which is possible because of interspecific and inter-age niche differences. But, the existence of big size of Mahseer depends primarily on the availability of deep storage of water in the form of many in-stream pools; so that during recession period, the big Mahseer would shelter in deep water. The Mahseer are also known as seasonal migratory fish, as they migrate upward for reproduction. During August, the brooder Mahseer migrate much up in the river, sometimes in the tributaries for search of shallow water having pebbles and gravels as substratum and exhibit breeding at the ground conducive for spawning. Thus, there are strict habitat requirement by Mahseer which comprises cold water temperature, high level of dissolved oxygen, habitat heterogeneity with occurrence of in-stream pools/ deep storage of water, ground conducive for spawning, etc. among other. Hence, due to various constraints, the availability of habitats for Mahseer fishes are less, causing their restricted occurrence in certain river segments in India. In North East India, there are many river segments in the hills where the mighty Mahseer are available. The record of Mahseer from North East India is much old when the undivided Assam was regarded as the abode of mighty Mahseer by many authors during the British colonial period. Subsequently, many authors have reported the availability of 4/5 species of Mahseer in the region. Indeed, Assam is the type locality of endemic Jungha Mahseer (Tor progeneius). But, in the present Assam, the Mahseer are propagating only in the rivers in Dima-Hasao district (earlier N C Hills). Many rivers in the district, like river Diyung, Mahur, Taijuwari, etc. are found comprising of habitats conducive for thriving of Mahseer. Infact, the local people know the Mahseer by the common Dimasa name Nah-Yung. There are five Dimasa names, like, Nah-Yung-hangar (Black), Nah-Yung-sligdi (Yellow), NahYung-kundi (Short), Nah-Yung-naso (Long), Nah-Yung-namsang (Small), referring to five species/verities of Mahseer. In the rest Assam, the Mahseer are known by common Assamese names Buka pitia and Jungha pitia, and single Bengali name Pakirangha. In Arunachal Pradesh, many big rivers, like, Kameng, Subansiri, Kumey, Siyom, Siang, Dibang, Lohit, and Tirap have Mahseer. The checklist of fishes of Arunachal Pradesh by Bagra et al 2009, suggest the presence of 3 species of Mahseer, viz., Tor putitora, T. tor, and Neolissochilus hexagonolepis. In a recent survey in river Subansiri at Daporijo & Sippi confluence, and Siang at Siyom confluence, Boleng & Pasighat has reckoned the presence of Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora). There are various local names of the Golden Mahseer in different tribes in the state, viz., Gesik in Adi, Gassey in Galo, Ngochi/ Ngoi Talo in Nishi, Aaro in Idu Mishmi, etc.
Besides, an upland pristine lake in Lower Dibang Valley district named Mehao lake is harbouring the introduced stock of Chocolate Mahseer. The stock has established natural population in the lake since its introduction in 2004. This species was introduced in to the lake as a trial to utilize the lake water for the long run conservation of the important pride sport fish which is under threat in its natural distribution in rivers. This important endeavour was accomplished by me, Mr. Azen Pujen, Mr. Ogo Mena, Mr. Pardesi Sahani, and 3 more persons, and noble endorsement of Mr. D. Das the then DFDO. This species is now thriving well in the water condition along with the already established common carp (introduced) population. Moreover, the species has utilized the ecological condition to exhibit natural breeding; resultant population influx leaded to establish sustainable Chocolate Mahseer fishery in the lake. The physical condition of ‘link-stream’ composing of gravels and boulders as substratum, medium to turbulent water flow, etc. along with suitable ecological condition have probably provided congenial breeding platform for the Mahseer species. During low storage of water the schools of mixed size classes of Chocolate Mahseer at the near to distant periphery of the lake are visible from the periphery, which is a pleasant experience that one will enjoy and share. In the context, I realize the need of short description of the lake. The Mehao Lake is an upland lake bowled between 28°82 48.512 2 N and 95°562 9.332 2 E at an altitude of 1778m above mean sea level. The lake comprised of two unequal segments both connected through a ‘link-stream’ of length around 200m, bigger one flows into smaller. The source of large volume of water in the lake is purely reaped from rainwater as there is no inlet. The only outlet sweep out from smaller one. The lake is located within Mehao Wild Life Sanctuary in Lower Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The approach to the lake is via Roing, head quarter of the district. There is no road way from Roing to the lake but a trekking of around 15 Km reaches the lake. The trekking continues on a river side (named river Deopani) for about an hour and then goes upward for another one hour through a valley which ends to a stream. The lake has an apparent linking with the river by this stream. The stream is trickled down directly from Mehao Lake through the steep cascade. After crossing the stream the trekking through the dense forest becomes more enjoying and the striding continues for an additional two hours to reach the Mehao Lake. The entry to the lake is from West to East direction. The lake has no any geometrically definable shape. The peripheral area of the lake also rarely contains soil. Mostly the undercut bedrocks, boulders and rocks form the periphery of the lake, due to which, roaming around the lake provide amusement to the visitors. There are much dense overhanging vegetation of trees, shrubs and creepers at almost 80% of the lake’s periphery. The lake water is very much clear, drinkable and safe for life. During daytime the transparency of the water is visible up to chest height of an average tall man. The upper surface of the lake water is total open and there is no any floating vegetation in the lake. The wind flows from the East to West direction creates webs on the water surface and agitation is continuously visible throughout the day except for few hours in the morning. During the silent state the lake becomes a mirror for the nearby snow covered mountain (winter season only) and surrounding jungle/ forest. The open blue sky during day time gives a beautiful colour to the lake water. Some wild animals drink the lake water which is evidenced from the observation of the presence of hoof marks near the lake water. The lake water is also a ground for some aquatic birds. The ducklings of some aquatic birds are visible during the month of February. The water area of the important lake was studied by importing the toposheets in ILWIS 3.4 GIS platform, and the area was calculated from the digital polygon map. It confirmed that the lake covers water area of 95.27ha, with periphery of
4748.33m. The depth of the lake at a distance of 30m from shoreline was measured to be 10.4m; however, the maximum depth as recorded by the District Fishery Development Office is 65m. The lake water is very much clear, drinkable, and safe for life. During daytime, the light transparency of the water was measured up to 7.0m which provided the pristine clarity. The upper surface of the lake water is total open and there is no any floating vegetation in the lake. In general, Mahseer populations in rivers have severely declined due to threat from habitat loss, destructive fishing likes poisoning, etc. Poisoning in river is increasing day by day. There are reports published in recent in many local news papers in northeast indicating the massacre deaths of various fish fauna in rivers due to large amount of poisoning in water by some groups of people. In this context, it is urgently needed to develop some strategic plan to protect the river ecosystems in general and the important Mahseer fishes in particular. One of the very important steps to prevent indiscriminate and destructive killing of fishes in river would be the promotion of water based tourism. It is one of the sectors where travel and amusement of the tourists are centered on activities like sport fishing (angling), swimming, boating, rafting, etc. emphasizing sustainability and conservation of aquatic diversities along with economic gain to the home people. In sport fishing, the fishes are caught and released immediately after enjoying the catch. Thus, a single specimen readily provides economic benefits in multiple times. Such practice of fishery based ecotourism provides economic benefits through employment for local communities in the form of fishing guide, boat man, watch man, etc., as well as earning of revenues through sales of license to organizing agencies/ entrepreneurs. Very importantly, the angling based ecotourism seeks to foster ethical behaviours that protect and sustain fish population, provide political support for clean water and local conservation initiatives, promote a respect for nature and natural settings, and encourage a stewardship ethic. Increasing the number of tourists at a fishing destination can maximize these benefits if fishing is approached from ecotourism standpoint. As mentioned earlier, the northeastern states, particularly Arunachal Pradesh hold potential water resources where the most prized sport fish called Mahseer can be protected to attain good size that provide sufficient sports and thrills to suits the demand of anglers. At present, the angling-tourism sector in the region is mostly unrecognized. On the backdrop, the initiation of schemes for development of angling-tourism is needed in order to provide training and facilities to the private entrepreneurs. Author: Dr. Boni Amin Laskar Department of Biotechnology, Assam University, Silchar. He can be contacted at
[email protected]
