FISH AND FISHERIES OF RIVER GANGA

Ecology and Biodiversity in Ganga Ecology and Biodiversity in Ganga River River

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Saturday, August 6, 2011PBCEC, IIT Kanpur

INTRODUCTION

The Ganga river basin is one of the largest inland river basin of India draining a catchment of 0.86 million km2. The Ganga rises as Bhagirathi in Himalyas at 'Gaumukh' at the height of 3892 mThe basin covers eleven states Some of the important tributaries include Alaknanda (Mandakini, Pindar, Nandakini), Ram Gnaga, Kali, Yamuna (Chambal, Sind, Betwa and Ken), Gomti, Ghagra, Gandak, Tons, Son, Punpun, Bhuri Gandak and KosiThe Ganga river supports a copious biological growth with rich flora and fauna

Sub-Stretches of The Ganga River

Upper Ganga; Gangotri to Haridwar

UG-1. Gangotri -Gangnani (35.4 km) UG-2. Gangnani-Devprayag (145.8 km) UG-3. Dev Prayag-Haridwar (84.88 km)

Middle Ganga; Haridwar to VaranasiMG-1. Haridwar-Bijnor (77.39 km)MG-2. Bijnor-Narora (156.45 km) MG-3. Narora-Fatehgarh (185 km) MG-4. Fatehgarh-Allahabad (331 km) MG-5. Allahabad-Varanasi (144 km)

Lower Ganga; Varanasi to Ganga Sagar

LG-1. Varanasi-Patna (253 km) LG-2. Patna-Bhagalpur (234 km) LG-3. Bhagalpur-Farakka (154 km) LG-4. Farakka-Ganga Sagar (98 km)

LINE DIAGRAM OF GANGA RIVER WITH MAJOR TRIBUTARIES

HABITAT FOR THE FISHES Upper Ganga: The river in the upper reach flows on steep bed and narrow terrain. The substrate is mostly rocks, boulders and stones The water is very cold (ice melt) having turbulent flow under high velocities sometimes up to

2.0-3.0 m/sec Rapids are the major habitat followed by deep pools and riffles The water is pristine or near pristine with little or no pollution Middle Ganga: River bed is wide with extensive flood plains, meandering streams on sand and pebbles The temperatures of water are moderate and velocities low 20-30 cm/sec Lower Ganga: The river in lower reach has problems of sediment load, flooding and silt deposition through a

meandering water course The flows are comparatively more after the confluence of major tributaries The substrate is usually of silt over sand and accumulation of degrading organic matter

BIOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES –FOOD FOR FISH

Major categories

Ecological groups

Taxonomic categories

Name of organisms

Plant materials

PhytoplanktonPhytobenthos

Chlorophyceae Euglena, Volvox, Chlamydomonas, Closterium Spirogyra, Microspora, Ulothrix, Hydrodictyon, Cladophora, Stigeoclonium, Schizogonium

Bacillariophyceae Fragilaria, Cymbella, Navicula, Nitzschia, Gomphonema, Surirella, Synedra, Diatoma, Amphora, Hantzschia, Tabellaria, Stauroneis, Coconeis, Ceratoneis, Neidium, Rhoicosphenia, Pinnularia

Cyanophyceae Nostoc, Anabena, Oscillatoria, Rivularia

Plants parts Aquatic weeds Uticularia, Hydrilla, Vallisnaria, Aquatic ferns, mosses

Leaves, twig, wood

Pieces and particles, fibres of higher plants

Animal materials

Zooplankton Protozoans Amoeba, Euglena, Paramecium, Colpidium, Arcella, Zoogloea

Rotifera Ascomorpha, Asplanchna, Trichocera, Philodina, Lacane, keratella, Brachionus, Notholca, Polyarthra

Copepoda Cyclops, Diaptomus and their larval forms.

Cladocera Daphnia, Bosmania, Mesocyclops, Nauplius, Ceriodaphnia and larval forms

Zoobenthos Plecoptera (nymph of stone flies)

Pereinella, Arcynopteryx, Isoperla, Aeronuria, Nemoura, Atoperla

Odonata (nymphs of dragon flies)

Argia, Corixa, Octogomphus, Epicordula, Perogomphus, Enallagma

Ephemeroptera (mayfly, nymphs)

Baetidae, Caenidae, Ephemerillidae, Heptageniidae, Leptophlebiidae, Neoephemeridae

Trichoptera (caddis larvae)

Hydropsychidae, Brachycentridae, Polycentropodidae, Glossosomatidae, Limnephilidae, Helicopsychidae, Hydroptilidae, Leptoceridae, Limnephilidae, Rhyacophilidae

Diptera Muscidae, Syrphidae,Tipulide, Limoniidae, Athericidae, Chironomidae, Culicidae, Dixidae, Heleidae, Simuliidae, Tabanidae

Others Nymphal stages of water beetles and waters bugs

Coleoptera (water beetles)

Sternolophus, Dianous, Helochares, Promoresia, Lacobin, Paracymus, Gyramus, Prephynus, Coelostoma, Dysticus, Potamonectes, Hydracna

Hemiptera (water bugs)

Micronocta, Helocoris, Lactotrephos, Corexia, Gerris etc.

Others Some molluscs (Neliosoma, Musculium, Physa, Macrobranchium), nouroptoranflios, water scorpions and water mites.

Nekton Small sized fishes, larvae, fry and fingerlings of fishes (during food stress may be used as food by the large sized specimens or as usual diet for piscivorous fishes), amphibian tadpole as well as small sized higher vertebrates which find their way accidentally in the streams.

Parts of animal body

Fins, scales, bone pieces and teeth of aquatic vertebrates, parts of exoskeleton of arthropoda, pieces of molluscan shells.

CONCEPTUALISED FOOD WEB OF THE GANGA RIVER

 Categories Species Genus Families

(a) No. of fish from fresh water (UG-1 to LG-3) 189 80 28

(b) No. of fish from brackish waters (LG-4) 156 119 67

(c) Common fin fishes (Chondriichthys) 13 9 7

Total 358 208 102*

Ganga river supports a large number of endemic and exotic species of fishes. Vass et al. (2008) reported the presence of 218 species in inland fresh waters and waters of Hooghly estuary

The compilation of records from other reports, research papers and dissertations and theses of academic institutes add up to 358

FISHES OF THE GANGA RIVER

COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT FISHES

Important Fishes Of Hooghly Estuary

Tenualosa (Hilsa) ilishaPolynemus paradiseus

P. parsiaP. pama

P. CalcariferP. Indicus

Harpodon neherusSetipinna phasaTrichiursus spp

Scianna biauritusIlisha elongata

Tachysurus jellaStromateus cinereus

(A).Indian Major carpsCirrhina mrigalaCatla catlaLabeo rohitaL. calbasu

(B).Other CarpsLabeo pangusia L. bataL. deroCirrhina reba

(C). Large cat fishesSperata aorS. seenghalaSilonia silondiaWallaga attuPangasius pangasiusBagarius bagariusRita rita

(D) Other cat fishesClupisoma garuaEutropiichthys vachaAilia coilaOmpok bimaculatusOmpak pabda

(E).ClupeoidesHilsa ilishaSetipinna phasaGudusia chapra

(F).Feather backsNotopterus notopterusN. chitala

(G).Exotic and other fishesCyprinus carpio*Oreochromis niloticus*Aristichthys nobilis* (Stray catch)Ctenopharyngodon idella* (Stray catch)

Hypophthalmichthys molitrix* (Stray catch)Clarias gariepinus* (Stray catch)Puntius sophoreP.conchoniusChanna punctataC. Marulia

Major Carps Cat Fishes

Exotic Fishes Hooghly Estuary Fishes

FISHES IN THE UPPER GANGA The sub stretch Gangotri to Gangnani is no Fish zone The river continuum is disturbed between Gangnani and

Devprayag due to multiple hydroelectric projects. The reach between Gangnani to Devprayag is inhabited by carps.

The most typical being Trouts, Schizothorax (7sp) and Schizothoraichthys (2sp). Other fishes reported are Garra (3sp), Barillius, Nemachilus, Pseudecheneis sulcatus, Glyptothorax

From Devprayag to Haridwar a few species of Mahaseer (Tor tor, T. putitora), a few catfishes and Clupeoides make their appearance. Mahaseer (Tor sp) is the most characteristic species of the reach

Families UG-2(Gangnani-DevPrayag)

UG-3(DevPrayag-Haridwar)

Cyprinidae Major Carps - 1Others Carps 24 24Sissoridae 6 2Channidae - 1Clariidae - 1Scheilbidae 2 1Belonidae - 2Mastacemblidae - 1Bagridae 1 2Cobitidae - 2Total Species 33 37

Ganga River at Maneri Bhali I

FISHES IN MIDDLE GANGA

As per records 138 species belonging to 69 genus and 26 families have been reported Cyprinidae is the largest group with 39 species which include commercial major carps and other

minor carps The reach shows decline of carps and increase in catfishes and forage fishes

Family MG -1 MG-2 MG-3 MG-4 MG-5

Scheilbedae 1 1 2 5 2Amblyceptidae 1 - - - -Cyprinidae 39 16 28 11 22Anabontidae 6 - - 1 5Sissoridae 4 1 - 2 3Cobitidae 4 5 3 2 3Chandidae 4 3 6 7 6Notopteridae 2 2 2 2 2Clupeidae - 1 - 2 3Bagridae 3 7 7 9 7Mugillidae 1 1 1 - 2Siluridae - 1 5 3 -Total 65 38 54 44 55

The Distribution of Fishes in the Middle Ganga

FISHES IN LOWER GANGA

The zone (LG1-LG3) sustains 101 species belonging to 25 families and 77 genra. The most important groups like in middle Ganga are Cyprinidae which includes 34 species

The characteristic group of fishes in the zone is the major carps and large catfishes and other Catfishes, Clupeiods and Featherbacks

Families  LG1 LG2 LG3Ambassidae 2 2 2Anabantidae 1 2 2Anguillidae 1Bagridae 5 7 8Belonidae 1 1 1Chacidae 1Chandidae 3 6 8Cichlidae 1 1 1Clariidae 1 1 1Clupeidae 3 2 4Cobitidae 3 4 5Cyprinidae 37 35 29Engraulidae 2 2 2Gobiidae 1 1 2Heteropneustidae 1 1 1Latidae 1

Families  LG1 LG2 LG3Mastacembelidae 3 3 3Megalopidae 1Mugilidae 1 2 2Muraenidae 1Nandidae 2 2Notopteridae 3 3 3Osphronemidae 1 1 1Pangasiidae 2 2Polynemidae 1Schilbeidae 5 5 6Sillaginidae 1Siluridae 3 4 4Sisoridae 3 4 6Synbranchidae 1Tetraodontidae 1 2 3Total Species 81 94 105

FISHES IN LOWER GANGA (HOOGHLY-MATLAH ESTUARY)

Hooghly Maltah estuary is the largest estuary spanning to about 0.8 million ha The fresh water system is represented by Hooghly river and its tributary Rupnaryan and many

estuarine distributaries and creeks. The Hooghly-Matlah estuary is known for its faunastic richness The ichthyean fauna is represented by 156 species in 119 genra and 67 families, which is evidenced

by annual catch of about 40,000 tons. The estuary is big which is influenced by 290 km by tidal influence

It is believed that the ecology of the Hooghly estuary has significantly changed after commissioning of Farakka barrage in 1975

Marine species migrating upstream and spawning in fresh water areas of the estuaries like Tenualosa (Hilsa) Ilisha, Polynemus paracliseus, Sillago panijus and Pama pama

Fresh water species which spawn in saline areas viz. Pangasius pangasius and the prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Marine forms coming into saline zones of the estuary for breeding like Tachysurus jella, Osteogeniosos militaris, Polynemus indicus and Eleutherosema tetradactylum.

THE SPECIES COMPOSITION CAN BE GRADED INTO THREE GROUPS

FISHING GEARS

Hook and line is the main gear in the upper most stretch where no organized fisheries exist. Use of nets and others gadget can not be used as the river flows in narrow hilly terrain with high velocities. Since game fishes exist in the reach, the only possibility is angling

Down stream up to Haridwar fishing is not permitted

Use of fishing gears is operative in the middle and low & reaches. The variously designed gears are used to suit local conditions such as depth of water, water velocity and type of fish to be caught. Dragnets (major and minor), Gill nets, purse net, scoop net, cast nets, set barriers, traps, long lines are normally used in fresh water stretches

In estuaries system, Trawl nets, sine nets, purse nets, drift nets, lift nets, cast nets, bag nets, set gillnets, set barrier nets and traps are used

MAJOR RIVERINE FISHERIES IN THE GANGA RIVER

The Upper Ganga (Gangotri-Haridwar) is practically a non fishing zone. Angling and other tradional methods are being used in fishing at small scale

Trouts, Mahseer and carps are the main components of fish resource. However commercial fishing is mainly observed in the middle and lower Ganga in UP, Bihar and West Bengal

Fish landings from the Ganga river system during the period 1955-56 to 1965-66

Jhingaran (1970) analyzed the data of fish landing at different centers. No definite trend from Kanpur to Bhagalpur noticed, but the maximum was reported at Allahabad.

Fish landing at various centres in the Ganga river (1961-1988).

Vass et al. (2010) reported a declining pattern in the total fish catch at different landing centers

POTENTIAL AND ACTUAL FISH PRODUCTION

The trend in fish yield (kg/ha) from different stretches of the river Ganga during 1958-86.

Jhingaran analyzed the market arrival (1989) at five centers. The fish yield decreased at Kanpur and Buxar and increased at the remaining centers

Annual average yield (t) of miscellaneous fishes from various stretches of river Ganga during 1958-86.

Average annaul yield (t) of Hilsa various stretches of river Ganga during 1958-86.

Average annaual yield (t) of major carps from various stretches of river Ganga during 1958-86.

Average annaul yield (t) of catfishes from various stretches of river Ganga during 1958-86

Centre Major carps Large catfishes Hilsa Others Total

Kanpur 365 317.5 0 272.5 955

Allahabad 430 203.9 93.9 207.4 935.2

Varanasi 46.2 327.7 443.1 684.6 1501.5

Buxar 37.8 68.9 917.8 304.4 1328.9

Ballia 57.1 124.3 485.7 210 877.1

Patna 331.7 370 193.3 908.3 1803.3

Bhagalpur 149.2 163.1 31.5 437.7 781.5

YIELD RATE (PER KG/ KM) IN DIFFERENT STRETCHES OF RIVER GANGES DURING 1961–1968

Jhingaran and Ghosh (1978) assessed the catch per kilometer, Carps at Kanpur and Allahabad dominated whereas cat fishes at Varanasi, Patna and Bhagalpur, Hilsa at Buxar and Ballia

Centers Year Major carps Catfish T. ilisha Others Total

Allahabad 1961-68 97.73 46.31 22.35 48.75 215.14

1972-80 31.09 22.67 2.22 45.51 101.49

1981-90 35.82 22.86 0.99 56.95 116.62

1991-00 6.65 14.43 1.04 40.99 63.10

2001-07 12.55 9.02 0.22 51.38 92.30

Buxar 1963-71 2.10 3.37 33.48 11.13 50.08

1972-80 2.89 4.05 2.43 6.23 15.58

1981-86 3.25 5.98 1.01 13.87 24.11

Patna 1961-66 23.35 22.43 14.08 48.82 108.68

1986-93 7.10 11.67 0.08 28.18 47.04

Bhagalpur 1961-70 18.66 31.23 4.27 59.02 113.18

1972-80 11.76 24.67 0.68 48.45 85.56

1981-88 5.98 26.75 0.93 52.52 86.17

FISH LANDINGS (TONNS) AT DIFFERENT CENTRES ON GANGES (COMPILED FROM CIFRI ANNUAL REPORTS, 1970, 80, 90,

2000, 2007)

EXOTIC FISHES

Increase Growth of Exotic Fishes

FISHERIES AT ALLAHABAD

Period Major carps Large cat fishes

Hilsa Others Total

1972-80 135.17 98.55 9.66 197.86 441.25

1981-90 155.73 99.4 4.31 247.59 507.03

1991-00 28.91 62.74 4.51 178.2 274.36

2001-06 38.58 40.56 1.2 223.41 368.01

Yield rate (kg km−1) at Allahabad during 1972-2006

Decline of fish catch/km at Allahabad during 1950s to 2000s

Fish landing at Allahabad (CIFRI Annual Reports 1961-2007)

ESTUARINE FISHERIES

Average contribution of dominant fishes and prawns (in t) of Hooghly estuarine

system

Annual fish landing in Hooghly –Matlah estuary

The procurement of sufficient secondary data from different sources and collation of information presented in the report sums up the following summary statements.The river supports copious biological growth in the form of phyto, zooplankton, phtyo, zoobenthos and other higher forms including fish.The fresh water fish population from Gangnani to Farakka is represented by 189 species under 80 genera and 278 families Osteichthys.The Hooghly-Maltah estuary is represented by 156 species and 67 families and 13 species and 6 families of common fin fishes (chondrichthys).35 species from fresh water and 13 species from Hooghly estuary have commercial importance.Major and minor drag nets are most commonly used as commercial fishing gears. Others nets being used are castnets, scoopnets, traps, trawls and parse nets. Trout and Mahseer are the most important Devprayag and Mahseer between Devprayag and Haridwar. Indian Major carps Labeo rohita, Labeo calbasu, Cirrhina mrigala and Catla catla are the important indicator species of middle and lower (upto Farakka) Ganga. Ganga also supports a good population of catfishes Exotic-species have started competing with carps especially in lower Ganga downstream of Allahabad.

SUMMARY

Hilsa is a characteristic fish of Hooghly estuary along with Harpodon neherius.There is a remarkable reduction in the production capacity of fresh water fishes, attributed mainly due to anthropogenic activities viz.

Flow interception due to large hydro-electric projects in upper GangaAbstraction of large quantities of water for irrigation in the form of canals (Upper Madhya and Lower Ganga canals).Increase of pollution load from urban areas along the river (domestic, industrial, treated and untreated).Increase in the sediment load due to deforestation.

The catch composition of commercially important fishes has under zone sea change.The Indian major Carps which are graded as prized catch of Ganga river has gone down.There is a gradual change in the large catfish population (but not as much as the fall of major carps).There is sufficient increase in forage fishes (non economical fishes). Fishing in Ganga is not regulated. There is excessive netting in certain areas. Exploitation of fries and finger lings of major carps by indiscriminate netting is also rampant.The catch at Allahabad in 1950 was 1343, 64 kg/km which got reduced to 36.51 kg/km in 2010.

SUMMARY

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