An awareness programme on ‘Conservation of Endangered Fish Species of Teesta River, West
Bengal’ was conducted by ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore in
collaboration with NHPC Limited (National Hydro-Electric Power Co-operation) at Teesta Low Dam
IV, Kalijhora, Darjeeling, West Bengal on 19 April 2018. Main objective of the awareness program
was to sensitize all the stakeholders of Teesta River about the need of the conservation of endangered
fish species of Teesta River through participatory or co-management mode. The awareness was
graced by 60 participants comprised of Fishermen from Reang, Kalijhora and Kalimpong village, Fish
farmer from Raninagar, Jalpaiguri, six members from Himalayan Angling & Conservation
Organization, Kalimpong, West Bengal. Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Shri. A. K. Ghosh,
General Manager, Teesta Low Dam IV Power Station, NHPC Ltd., Kalijhora, West Bengal, Shri. S.
K. Agarwal, Chief Engineer and In-Charge, Teesta Low Dam III NHPC Ltd., Rambi, West Bengal
and Shri R. Foning Lepcha, Additional Director, Department of Fisheries, Govt. of West Bengal
interacted with all the stakeholders during the programme.
Shri A. K. Ghosh, General Manager, TLD IV PS delivered welcome address of the awareness and expressed his concern regarding conservation of endangered indigenous fishes of Teesta River; he also expresses his willingness to deal with all stake holders of Teesta River for conservation of river biodiversity.
Shri R. Foning Lepcha, Additional Director, Department of Fisheries, Govt. of West Bengal gave his remarks of the awareness programme highlighting the importance of native fish species of Teesta River in maintaining the river ecosystem health as well as in supporting livelihood of local fishers.
Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI have given a presentation on ‘Conservation of Endangered Fish Species of Teesta River, West Bengal’ with a focus to highlight the present status of fish diversity of river Teesta and its conservation status. He explained the importance of rivers in India and its biodiversity, socio-economic profile of river fishers, main reason for declining fish production from rivers, various threats to native fish fauna and also explained about the efficacy study (which is being conducted by ICAR-CIFRI) of fish ladder/pass provided across NHPC TLDP III and TLDP IV in the fish ladder. He ensured that this efficacy study would prove whether the migratory fishes (especially Neolissochilus hexagonolepis, Chocolate Mahseer, Schizothorax richardsonii & Snow trout, Cyprinion semiplotum, Assamese King Fish) are moving across both the dams in upstream and downstream for spawning, feeding, etc. He further said fish ladder/pass in every dam construction is must to ensure the migration of fishes within or across the river and lastly he advised all fishers/anglers not to fish during breeding season and not to practice any destructive fishing methods in the river for sustainable fisheries and its conservation. Fish tagging is an important aspect to study the migration of fishes, fishers residing near the river or fishers catching the fishes are informed to report to CIFRI or NHPC if any tagged fish are caught from the river to know how long fishes are migrated.
During the awareness, Mr. D. K. Meena, Scientist, Dr. P. K. Parida, Scientist, Ms. T. N. Chanu, Scientist, Ms. Anitha Joy, Deputy Manager Environment, TLDP IV PS NHPC Ltd.; Mr. Navin, Manager Environment, TLDP IV PS, Ms. Pooja Kanyal, Fishery Officer TLDP III PS NHPC Ltd. also interacted with all participants and provided various technical inputs and logistic supports during awareness.
Shri A. K. Ghosh, General Manager, TLD IV PS delivered welcome address of the awareness and expressed his concern regarding conservation of endangered indigenous fishes of Teesta River; he also expresses his willingness to deal with all stake holders of Teesta River for conservation of river biodiversity.
Shri R. Foning Lepcha, Additional Director, Department of Fisheries, Govt. of West Bengal gave his remarks of the awareness programme highlighting the importance of native fish species of Teesta River in maintaining the river ecosystem health as well as in supporting livelihood of local fishers.
Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI have given a presentation on ‘Conservation of Endangered Fish Species of Teesta River, West Bengal’ with a focus to highlight the present status of fish diversity of river Teesta and its conservation status. He explained the importance of rivers in India and its biodiversity, socio-economic profile of river fishers, main reason for declining fish production from rivers, various threats to native fish fauna and also explained about the efficacy study (which is being conducted by ICAR-CIFRI) of fish ladder/pass provided across NHPC TLDP III and TLDP IV in the fish ladder. He ensured that this efficacy study would prove whether the migratory fishes (especially Neolissochilus hexagonolepis, Chocolate Mahseer, Schizothorax richardsonii & Snow trout, Cyprinion semiplotum, Assamese King Fish) are moving across both the dams in upstream and downstream for spawning, feeding, etc. He further said fish ladder/pass in every dam construction is must to ensure the migration of fishes within or across the river and lastly he advised all fishers/anglers not to fish during breeding season and not to practice any destructive fishing methods in the river for sustainable fisheries and its conservation. Fish tagging is an important aspect to study the migration of fishes, fishers residing near the river or fishers catching the fishes are informed to report to CIFRI or NHPC if any tagged fish are caught from the river to know how long fishes are migrated.
During the awareness, Mr. D. K. Meena, Scientist, Dr. P. K. Parida, Scientist, Ms. T. N. Chanu, Scientist, Ms. Anitha Joy, Deputy Manager Environment, TLDP IV PS NHPC Ltd.; Mr. Navin, Manager Environment, TLDP IV PS, Ms. Pooja Kanyal, Fishery Officer TLDP III PS NHPC Ltd. also interacted with all participants and provided various technical inputs and logistic supports during awareness.
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