Koraput: In an important biodiversity assessment study, researchers of the Central University of Odisha (CUO) at Koraput have, for the first time, recorded two Mahseer fish species from Indravati River system in southern Odisha.
These two new Mahseer fish species belong to the Cyprinidae family, which are large-bodied and big-scaled carps, often called ‘King of the Indian Aquatic system’ and are included under 20 mega fishes of the world. It inhabits fast-flowing cold, clear, hilly riverine water with pebbly, stony, and rocky bottoms and intermittent rocky pools. It is a sacred fish and is worshipped in many Hindu temples in India.
In Odisha, Mahseer fish species have earlier been reported from Mahanadi, Brahmani, and Similipal regions. However, they have not been reported earlier from any rivers in South Odisha. Major rivers in South Odisha, such as Kolab, Indravati, and Machhkund, are a part of the Godavari River system, being its major tributaries, whereas Nagabali and Vamshadhara arise in Odisha and join the Bay of Bengal in Andhra Pradesh.
The researchers of the university, led by Prof Sharat Kumar Palita, Dean, School of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources (SBCNR), CUO. Prof Palita, after joining the Central University of Odisha, started research on Mahseers six years back, and work was given to the scholar Alok Kumar Naik.
During the search, these fishes were documented from Indravati Market at Khatiguda (Khatiguda Market) in Nabrangpur of Odisha. Later, these were documented from Indravati Reservoir at Mukhiguda in Kalahandi and Kapur Dam in Nabarangpur.
Under close scrutiny by Prof Palita in the laboratory of the CUO, these fishes were identified as Mahseer fishes and later confirmed by the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. ZSI as two species of Mahseer, Tor Tor and Tor Putitora. The findings have been published in the prestigious journal Asian Journal of Conservation Biology.
While Tor Tor has earlier been recorded from Similipal, Mahanadi River System, and Brahmani River, the present discovery is a new record from Indravati River, an interstate river that flows through southern Odisha. This species is comparatively widespread, being distributed from Jammu in the west to Bramhaputra valley in the east and distributed in the rivers of the Indian peninsula.
The earlier report of Tor Putitora from Mahanadi River is no more valid, as the species is now recognised as Tor Mahanadicus, a new species. The present record of Tor Putitora, therefore, is not only a new record from the Godavari basin of Odisha, but it is a new record for the entire Godavari River system of India.
Locally the mahseer fishes are called as ‘Kainsari’ and ‘Khaiser’ in Khatiguda of Nabrangupur, whereas Begali people of the region call it ‘Mahasol’. The term Mahseer from ‘maha-sir’ meaning big head is now erroneous and the tem ‘Mahasol’ meaning big scales are more accepted.
It may be noted that many states are declaring Mahseers as state fish while Odisha government has declared the Mahanadi Mahseer as ’State Fish’. This discovery by the researcher Alok Kumar Naik, supported by another researcher, Anirban Mahata, under the guidance of Prof Palita, further highlights the rich untapped biodiversity research of Southern Odisha and, more particularly, Koraput region.
Prof Palita said while genetic analysis of these fishes of southern Odisha is nearing completion, steps need to be taken for their conservation. Vice-Chancellor Prof Chakradhar Tripathi and Vice-Chancellor in-charge Prof NC Panda has congratulated the team of researchers and highlighted the importance of this basic research under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and stressed for further research, which can help build livelihood security for the common man.
