Indigenous fishes on verge of extinction
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Babina Elangbam
Imphal, January 19 2015:
Owing to blockage by Ithai Barrage of National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) in its bid to use Loktak Lake as a reservoir for generating electricity, the natural flow of water in the largest freshwater lake in the northeast has remained stagnant, thereby posing threat not only to the environment but also in the existence of various species of indigenous fishes.
As interchange of water between Ningthi River (Myanmar), Barak River and Loktak Lake has been stopped due to obstruction by Ithai Barrage, altogether 15 different kinds of indigenous fish found in the eastern Himalaya region are on the verge of extinction.
Notably, the 15 indigenous fishes included 10 which are found in the State.
The 10 indigenous fishes are Ching Ukabi, Ngakra, Ching-Ngakra, four different types of Ngatup and Ngarak.
In addition to this, out of 50 different types of fishes found in the eastern Himalaya region but are on the brink of extinction, some are indigenous to the State.
These include three types of Ngawa, five types of Ngamu, Ngapang, Ngakoi and five types of Nungnga.
Talking to this daily on the disturbing changes in Loktak Lake, Prof W Bishwanath, Department of Life Science, Manipur University, informed that there are 200 different types of indigenous fish found in the State.
He further informed that out of the 200 indigenous fishes, around 50 are native species which are now hardly found.
It is not that a particular type of fish would be found only in a particular country as there is no place in the world where there is no water bodies.
However, existence of different types of fish in a country depends on the climatic and environmental conditions of that particular area, the Professor explained.
There was a time when different types of fish coming from Ningthi River and Barak River are found abundantly in the State.
But now they are rarely seen following the blockage by Ithai Barrage.
The foundation of endemic fishes of the State is from northern part of Brahmaputra and southern part of Ningthi River in Myanmar, he pointed out.
Elaborating that the main reason behind the rarity in finding native species of fishes in Manipur today is due to unfavorable changes in the ecological conditions and absence of preservation of the fishes, he asserted that an effective resource institute of fishery should be set up to preserve the native species.
He said that people should also be encouraged to help in preservation of the native species.
On the present condition of Loktak Lake, Prof Bishwanath observed that water coming from polluted rivers is mixed with the lake water.
The polluted water has not been able to divert.
Moreover, large quantity of the water accumulated is unable to flow towards Myanmar through Ithai Dam.
These have adversely affected the eco-system of Loktak Lake apart from threatening existence of the indigenous fishes.
There is also apprehension that inclusion of various types of fishes from other States in Loktak Lake with an eye on commercial value has further threatened existence of the indigenous fishes, he expressed.
On the other hand, Karam Sarat Singh, Director of Fishery Department, informed this daily that the department has been promoting several indigenous fishes like Pengba, Ngaton, Meitei Ngamu, Meitei Ngakra, Nganap and Ngakijou which are becoming diminish.
He said that fishermen are given the fingerlings of these indigenous fishes for rearing so as to sustain their livelihood.
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