Vanishing 'Nganap' casts shadow on Manipuri wedding custom
Source: Chronicle News Service / Ngangom Suraj

Imphal, May 27 2024: In Manipuri society, especially Meetei, fish play an important role in both the food culture and traditional rituals.

Since time immemorial, our ancestors have used some specific species of fish for specific type of occasions.

Even when there is an earthquake, there is a tradition of chanting "Chak-Nga, Chak-Nga", praying God to bless us with more food and fish.

Known locally as 'Nganap', a tiny fish usually not more than 10 cm in length, characterised by wormlike and fusiform body, is served to the newlyweds on their marriage day.

In Meetei culture, it is believed that serving the fish to the newlywed couple will bless them with long and happy life and prosperity.

Though the exact scientific purpose of serving the fish is not known, there is always a scientific reason behind every traditional belief.

Not long ago, Nganap used to be seen in the market quite often, though not abundant and were caught from many rivers and other water bodies including Loktak Lake.

But in recent years, the fish has become extremely rare and finding fresh ones is almost next to impossible and therefore people resolved to consume dried ones even if the prices are staggeringly high.

As such, there is fear that with the disappearance of the fish species, the custom of serving it to the newlyweds will eventually fade away.

Sekmai River is one such rivers were Nganap were caught in plenty in the past but in recent years, in the last decade to be precise, the fish's population has gradually decreased and it has become almost extinct at present.

Locals settling along the river point to use of heavy machinery for extraction of minor mineral in large scale, leaving no chance of recovery by nature on its own, as the primary reason for the disappearance of Nganap.

According to the locals, Nganap were caught usually during the month of July to September, which is its spawning and breeding season.

But in the last couple of years before gradually disappearing from the river, it used to appear and disappear untimely.

Experts suggest, Climate Change, pollution and habitat destruction are the primary causes of Nganap's disappearance.

In an exclusive interview, Manipur University Department of Life Science retired professor, Waikhom Vishwanath pointed out that there are two types of Nanap found in the state namely Nganap (Pangio pangia (Hamilton, 1822) and Nganap Nakupi (Lepidocephalichtys irrorata, Hora, 1921.Nganap were usually found in rivers while Nganap Nakupi were found at Loktak Lake and other marshy wetlands.

Professor Vishwanath explained that Nganap is a bottom dweller and adapted to slow flowing rivers or streams with sluggish or muddy and sandy soil bed.

Its breeding season usually begins in the month of June or July, the eggs will hatch from August to October and the hatchings/fry will become mature by the month of March the following year.

Right temperature, rainfall and habitat are key for its reproduction.

However the cycle has been disrupted by climate change and anthropogenic activities, he stated, while elaborating that rise in temperature will result in premature breeding which will in turn reduce the ability to lay adequate number of eggs and also chances of survival of the eggs.

He said that most fish species along with amphibians and reptiles are cold blooded, meaning, they depend on the temperature of the surrounding to maintain.

Colder climate would decrease its metabolism while higher temperature will increase the rate of metabolism of its organs resulting in earlier maturity of its sex organs and pregnancy in early age for any species of animal means higher chances of unhealthy offspring, the professor explained.

While climate change is the primary cause, anthropogenic activities including extraction of minor minerals such as sand and stones from river bed in large scale, pollution from use of chemicals in agriculture and other purposes, flow modification of the river for construction dams and other establishments and introduction of invasive species have also greatly contributed in wiping out Nganap from its habitat, professor Vishwanath stated.

Emphasising the need to conserve Nganap so as to continue the marriage custom as well as to maintain the ecological balance, professor Vishwanath said that identification of breeding ground and implementation of stricter rules to prevent fishing in breeding season, conducting extensive study on its life cycle and breeding in captivity to increase its population is the need of the hour.

(The report has been filed under the 4th Media Fellowship Programme on Climate Change Reporting under the sponsorship of Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, government of Manipur) .

Comment