A Case Study of the Narmada River System in India with Particular Reference to the Impact of Dams on Its Ecology and ﬁsheries Utpal Bhaumik, M

Home , Narmada River

A case study of the Narmada River system in India with particular reference to the impact of dams on its ecology and ﬁsheries Utpal Bhaumik, M. K. Mukhopadhyay, N. P. Shrivastava, A. P. Sharma, and S. N. Singh Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata 700120, India Corresponding author: [email protected]

Narmada, the oldest river system in India, originates from Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh, flows east-west, and joins with the Gulf of Cambay on the Arabian Sea. The river drains 45.64 km3 of annual run-off and a series of dams was proposed to hold some of its water resources for multipurpose use. Currently, three dams have been built in Madhya Pradesh and one is under construction in Gujarat. A comparison of pre- and post-impoundment eco-environment and fisheries revealed changes in water quality, productivity, and aquatic flora and fauna of the river system. Among the fish, species like Tor tor, Labeo fimbriatus and Labeo dyocheilus suffered most. The percentage contributions to total yield of Carp, Catfish, and miscellaneous groups have significantly changed, indicating falls of 17%, 36% and an increase of 410%, respectively. Percentage contributions to catches of Macrobrachium rosenbergii and Tenualosa ilisha have also declined by 46% and about 75% in the estuarine stretch of the river system. Suitable conservation measures for sustenance and development of fishery have been suggested.

Keywords: Mahseer, Hilsa, conservation

Introduction plains in Gujarat before merging with the Gulf of Cambay on the West coast. With a total length of The Narmada River, synonymous with the god- 1312 km, the river is wholly fed with run-off dis- dess Narmada Mai, has immense aesthetic and charge from a 98,796 km2 catchment in Madhya religious significance to Indians, especially the Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. people of the central and western regions. The The entire Narmada basin is being developed river originates near Amarkantak at about 1050 m under a comprehensive river valley project pro- above MSL in the Maikaley highlands, flows west- gramme through a series of dams, which should ward through the hilly terrain and highlands of contribute additional fishery resources in reservoirs Madhya Pradesh, and descends to the Potamon and enhance inland fish production for India.

Color versions of one or more of the ﬁgures in the article can be found online at www.tandfonline.com/uaem.

151

Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 20(1–2):151–159, 2017. Copyright Ó 2017 AEHMS. ISSN: 1463-4988 print / 1539-4077 online DOI: 10.1080/14634988.2017.1288529

Downloaded from http://read.dukeupress.edu/aehm/article-pdf/20/1-2/151/888883/151bhaumik.pdf by guest on 25 September 2021 152 Bhaumik et al./Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 20 (2017) 151–159

However, the ecology and fisheries of the river will Physiography suffer adversely due to the river modifications. This study evaluates the impact of damming on ecology The Narmada River basin has three major phys- and fisheries of the Narmada River system. iographic divisions: the Upper Narmada basin, the Central Highlands and the Broach-Baroda plains. The upper Narmada zone of the river runs over River resource and valley projects black granitic rocks. The Central Highlands are characterized by clay, gravel, boulders and coarse Hydrographically, the river has several key fea- sands. In the Broach-Baroda plains, the river flows tures: initial hill streams, followed by a highland and through black alluvial soils. Blocking the river ravine stretch, and lastly, a long span of tidal-influ- course with dams has caused alterations in basin enced estuary. The moderate to high range of annual conditions. In the upper valley project areas, a precipitation in the catchment produces a huge vol- large number of hills and hillocks were sub- ume of run-off through the river course. The merged, resulting in an uneven depth profile all 2 3 98,796 km catchment yields 45.64 km of annual along the captive river basin. 3 run-off, of which 34.50 km is utilizable. As early as The basin at the Central Highlands suffered from the late nineteenth century, the British Government abnormally low flows of river discharge and subse- considered a proposal for a barrage at Bharuch but quently low depth and exposure of a greater part of did not proceed. After independence, the Government the riverbed almost year round. Extraction of bould- of India took up the issue of damming the river sys- ers and pebbles from the riverbed for construction tem for development of multipurpose river valley activities has caused damage to the habitats of flora projects. Thirty large dams were proposed under the and fauna of the region. The impact of river valley Sardar Sarovar and Narmada Sagar projects, of which projects has mainly been on river dimensions in the the Tawa, Bargi and Indira Sagar dams have been lowermost Broach-Baroda plains of the river system. completed in Madhya Pradesh with the Sardar Saro- var dam currently under construction in Gujarat (Figure 1). After completion of the cascade of dams, Hydro-ecology 27,421 ha of reservoir area will be available for facili- tation of irrigation, hydropower projects, industrial Before the river valley projects, the water temper- and domestic water supply, and fisheries. ature of the river system varied with altitude and

Figure 1. Location of dam and sampling points of the study on the Narmada River.

Downloaded from http://read.dukeupress.edu/aehm/article-pdf/20/1-2/151/888883/151bhaumik.pdf by guest on 25 September 2021 Bhaumik et al./Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 20 (2017) 151–159 153

season. At higher altitude, the annual range was The overall nutrient contents of the river water milder (15.0–30.5C) compared to the Central High- have changed marginally during the post-river val- lands and lower plains (19.0 to 33.0C). The mean ley project period. Post-impoundment phosphate ambient temperature in the hilly and downstream (P) values were comparatively low in upper river section differed by 9.0C in winter and 7.0C reaches of the river (P D 0.002–0.03 mg l¡1) and during summer. Temporal variation in ambient tem- increased in the middle stretch (P D 0.052– perature, though not very apparent, has been erratic 0.095 mg l¡1), declining again in the lower estua- and higher in the years of drought and low river rine zone (P D 0.017–0.033 mg l¡1). The nitrate discharge. (as N) content was higher than phosphorus and the River water was more turbid during the mon- mean values of the element amounted to 0.172, soon and turned clearer in the winter months. In 0.1315, and 0.1630 mg l¡1 in the upper, middle, the stretches running through Madhya Pradesh, and lower zones of the system, respectively. Unni (1996) reported that river water turbidity No information on primary productivity in the ranged between a trace and 25 NTU at higher alti- river was available for the pre-impoundment period. tude and increased to 260–400 NTU in the down- Unni (1996) studied productivity for the post- stream courses. The higher values occurred during impoundment period and reported higher gross pri- the monsoon season when the catchment run-off mary production in the upper hilly range (450– increased the silt contents of the water. Presently, 600 mg C m¡3h¡1) during May and comparatively turbidity values have changed in the middle High- low values in remaining part of the system. Singh lands and the lower plains regions of the river. The (2009) reported the value of GPP as more in the mid- values remain higher, between 310 and 480 NTU, dle sector (52.9–135.3 mg C m¡3h¡1) than the upper with highest turbidity near the drainage points. (67.1–91.3 mg C m¡3h¡1) and lower (36.3–89.4 mg Catchment denudation has caused high silt con- Cm¡3h¡1) sectors during the period of investigation. tents in run-off waters and the river. The higher primary production in the upper reaches Chemical qualities of the river water have not was associated with higher abundance of algal popu- changed much in the upper hilly region since the lations in the region. During the post-impoundment river valley projects. In the middle and lower period, primary productivity and plankton abundance zones, the level of dissolved oxygen recorded ﬂuc- levels decreased over time throughout the river sys- tuated over a wide range (4.4–9.1 ppm) and the tem (Table 1). The ﬁndings suggest that the nutrient lower values were mostly observed at the waste- levels and the primary productivity of the river were water drainage points. Oxygen also dipped to very not stable and depended on various extrinsic and low levels in the hydrophyte-infested stretches intrinsic factors (Welch, 1952). during the night and early morning hours. The free CO2 content of the water has not changed percepti- bly during the post-river valley project period. The Biotic Communities chloride content of water has stayed at the level of the pre-impoundment period in the greater part of Plankton the river (4.6–19.9 ppm). However, the ambient chloride values have increased in the lower plains The Narmada River plankton studied by Unni (615–3248 ppm) because of the decrease in fresh- (1996) covered nearly 550 km of the river course water discharge from upstream and the lower rate from 19 sampling stations. Mean phytoplankton den- of dilution of the incoming tidal salinity from the sity varied with time and space. In the upper zone, Arabian Sea. maximum density was found at Amarkantak The texture of the river was mostly sandy pre- (29140 u. l¡1) near the origin of the river. The density impoundment. The percentages of sand, silt, and declined to 2914 u. l¡1 at 213 km downstream, and clay varied within the ranges of 66.7–94.6%, 9.3– then increased to 8754 u. l¡1 at 325 km. Thereafter 26.3% and 6.3–23.5%, respectively. The sediment at Sandia, about 500 km downstream, density was acidic to alkaline in situ (pH 6.46 to >9.00), decreased to 5890 u. l¡1. An increase was recorded with a moderate organic content (0.094–1.59%) near Hoshangabad (7448–10168 u. l¡1). The spatial and a C:N ratio of 7.95:26.20. Sediment nutrient variation in density of phytoplankton indicated that levels (Av. N: 3.50–36.90 mg 100 g¡1; P: 0.200– the abundance of organisms was in highest occur- 1.611 mg 100 g¡1) were moderate. rence in high altitude and hilly terrain, and gradually

Downloaded from http://read.dukeupress.edu/aehm/article-pdf/20/1-2/151/888883/151bhaumik.pdf by guest on 25 September 2021 154 Bhaumik et al./Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 20 (2017) 151–159

Table 1. Changes in plankton and primary productivity in the sampling centers of the study area.

Plankton (unit l¡1) Gross Productivity mgC m¡3h¡1 Site # Location 1996* 2009** 1996* 2009** 1 Amarkantak 29,140 203 450–600 87.5 2 Dindori – 32 – 67.06 3 Mandla 2914 – – 73.69 4 Bheraghat/Jabbalpur 8759 152 – 91.31 6 Shahpur – 131 – – 5 Narsinghapur – – – 81.01 7 Sandia 5890 306 – 64.6 8 Hoshangabad 7448–10,168 – – 65.96

*Unni (1996); **Singh et al. (2009).

decreased downstream. Among phytoplankton, Macrobenthos Bacillariophyceae was dominant, followed by Chlor- ophyceae and Cyanophyceae. At Amarkantak, Chlor- River systems can sustain populations of various ophyceae were dominant, possibly due to their macrobenthic organisms and the diversity and den- luxuriantgrowthinsemi-stagnantandcoldenviron- sity of the organisms will be indicative of environmental conditions. The percentage contribution of mental conditions. The Narmada River, with these three major groups of phytoplankton varied existing, ongoing, and proposed river valley from place to place and with the time, and was related projects, faces the pressure of severe shortages of to various physicochemical factors like temperature, river flow and a resultant acute shrinkage of habitat alkalinity, and nutrients. The maximum growth of areas for the benthic organisms. Riverbed with phytoplankton occurred in the post-monsoon period, mostly gravels, pebbles, and boulders has been grad- winter and late summer months. Unni (1996) ually replaced by coarse sand bed, which does not recorded a total of 174 species of phytoplankton from support the growth of macrobenthic fauna. Singh the 500 km stretch between Amarkantak and Setha- (2009) recorded 72 species of macrobenthic organ- nighat. Out of the total, 101 species in 27 genera isms from the Narmada River system and found the belonged to Bacillariophyceae, while 46 species in organisms homogeneously distributed, with domi- 21 genera were Chlorophyceae. Cyanophyceae, nance of few species varying with time and space. The overall densities fluctuated within 108–13739 Euglenophyceae, Dinophyceae were represented by ¡2 19, 4, and 3 species, respectively, and Chrysophyceae nos. m . In the middle sector and estuarine zone, the abundance of the organisms varied widely in the was represented by a single species. Among zoo- ¡2 ¡2 plankton, the species diversity was much lower com- range of 69–1493 nos. m and 118–13,739 no. m pared to phytoplankton and their density was also where Molluscs were dominant. Thiara scabra, quite low compared to the latter. Zooplankton density Thiara tuberculata, Bellamaya bengalensis, Gyrau- was higher in the upper reaches (59.0–3132.1 u. l¡1) lus sp., Lymnaea acuminate, Corbicula striatella, compared to the middle sector (8.3–14.4 u. l¡1). Roti- Lamellidens marginali and Sphaerium sp. were fers were much higher in density in the upper reaches important Molluscan taxa. (29.5–1695.6 u. l¡1). In the middle stretch, the percentages of Rotifers, Cladocerans, Copepods, and Ostracods were not uniform and varied among sta- Periphyton tions. In total, 111 zooplankton species were recorded in the Narmada River system from the upper and mid- Pre-impoundment, the rich base substrate of the dle zones. No data on plankton population and diver- Narmada River course sustained good growth of sity for the period prior to the implementation of river periphyton. The boulders, pebbles, gravel, and coarse valley projects were available. Singh (2009) reported sands provided substrata for a complex group of very low abundance of plankton in the Narmada organisms and provided important feeding grounds River estuary. for fish and shrimp. Unni (1996) made the detailed

studies on these organisms in the late 1980s. He (1941) recorded 40 species from Satpura range, found the growth of periphytic organisms was highly and Karamchandani et al. (1967) later listed 77 variable in the upper reaches (2700–41,000 u. cm¡2) species from the upper and middle zones. Doria and increased in the downstream stretch between (1990) also mentioned the presence of 76 species Sandia and Hoshangabad (48,000–89,000 u. cm¡2) from Narmada in Madhya Pradesh. Rao et al. where the necessary substrates were abundant and (1991) included the western sector of the river in the ecological conditions were also favourable for their fish faunal investigations and prepared a list the growth of periphyton. Bacillariophyceae made of 84 species from the system. This may not be up the bulk of the periphyton population throughout considered a complete account of total fish fauna the upper and middle Highland stretches, while Cya- of the system and research should be continued. nophyceae and Chlorophyceae were also present in Records of annual production of fish from the lower percentages. Narmada River system are insufficient for time scale During the post-impoundment period, the dras- evaluations and trend analyses. Unni (1996) reported tic fall in river discharge led to shrinkage of the comparative production figures of various Indian riv- river spread area and exposure of the periphyton- ers and mentioned that Narmada stood at the lower rich substrata. In addition to periphyton, benthic end compared to the East Coast river systems. Annual macrophytes also disappeared to a great extent in fish production from the river in Madhya Pradesh was the succeeding years. estimated at 269.8 metric tons (Dubey, 1984) between 1958–1959 and 1965–1966, i.e. prior to the development of dams on the river. At that time, Carp Macrophyte and associated fauna alone contributed 176.5 metric tons per year, followed by Catfish (79.5 mt) and miscellaneous groups Both submerged and floating aquatic plants (13.8 mt). During 1971 and 1972, nearly an 11.1% were common in shallow and low flowing riverine increase was recorded in total production (300.0 mt) stretches before the river valley projects. Species in Madhya Pradesh. The contribution of Carp like Potamogeton crispus, P. pentinatus, Najas increased to 186.3 mt, while production of Catfish urinor, Hydrilla verticillalata, Vallisneria spiralis showed little change (81.0 mt), and miscellaneous and Chara sp. were recorded in varying quantities species were enhanced by a considerable level. Later, between Manot and Hoshangabad by Unni (1996). after the commissioning of the valley projects, the riv- Overall, the growth of macrophytes was observed erine production in the same stretches dropped to to be faster after winter months when discharge 100.0 mt (Rao et al., 1991), indicating the adverse was lower, water remained clear, and the flow was impact of the man-made obstructions on the natural moderately low in the river system. During the river flow and subsequent hydro-ecological changes. investigations carried out by a CIFRI team of sci- The three major groups—Carp, Catfish, and miscella- entists in 1999–2001 (Anon, 1999-2001), they neous—changed considerably in their percentile con- observed that the lower stretch of the river below tribution to the annual catch (Table 2). The the Sardar Sarovar dam showed varying intensities percentage contribution of Carp production has of macrophyte cover in shallow and low-flowing dropped by 17%, while the contribution of Catfish stretches. At a number of places, the density was suffered the most with a 36% decrease within two high during March to June and the vegetation sup- decades. The contribution of the miscellaneous catch, ported good growth of associated fauna, mainly gastropods, annelids, and insects. With the discharge decreasing to almost negligible levels after Table 2. Percentage contribution of three fish groups to total completion of the Sardar Sarovar dam, the sce- fish landings on the Narmada River in pre- and post-dam nario will be further altered and the shallower periods. parts of the river will gradually be transformed into lacustrine habitat. Pre-dam Post-dam Groups 1967 1992–1994 Fish and fisheries Carp 60.40 50.13 Catfish 34.10 21.80 The fish fauna of the Narmada River system has Miscellaneous 5.50 28.07 been studied by various workers. Hora and Nair

Downloaded from http://read.dukeupress.edu/aehm/article-pdf/20/1-2/151/888883/151bhaumik.pdf by guest on 25 September 2021 156 Bhaumik et al./Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 20 (2017) 151–159

however, increased by 410% during the same period. The changes in population structure of the fish occurred due to the alteration in habitat conditions. Hydro-graphical changes like lowering of depth, dis- appearance of deep pools, and exposure of suitable breeding and nursery areas were responsible for limit- ing fair weather sheltering places, free movement, andpropagationoflargesizedCarpandCatfish. The fisheries in the lower Broach-Baroda plains were different. Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) migrated into freshwater breeding areas of the stretch and Figure 3. Mahseer (Tor tor) from River Narmada. were an important component in annual fisheries. Freshwater Carps and Catfish also contributed to and 9.6 metric tons, sharing 25.5–29.6% of the the fisheries. In addition, the estuarine and neretic total catch during 1958–1966 at a landing station species contributed the bulk of the fisheries in the (Shahganj) in Madhya Pradesh, indicating the lower stretches of the Narmada River system. abundance during the pre-impoundment period. Macrobrachium rosenbergii, the giant freshwater Physical barriers due to the high dam restricted the prawn (Figure 2), contributed an important fishery breeding movements to the hilly terrains and nega- in river-estuarine stretches. Installation of the tively affected the natural recruitment system for Sardar Sarovar dam at the head region of the lower the species. Further, the natural feeding grounds plains at Vedgam led to restriction in river flow. downstream have also disappeared, affecting the As a result, the hydro-ecology of the river has sig- population growth of Tor tor. Prior to commission- nificantly altered and the effect has been seen in ing of the river valley projects, the annual produc- the fisheries of the estuarine sector. The percent- tion of Mahseer (Tor tor) from a 48 km stretch in age share of Carp, mainly Tor tor, Labeo fimbria- Madhya Pradesh was 7.6 t, contributing 28% of tus, and L. dyocheilus species, markedly declined. the total and 46% of the Carp fishery Also, the contribution of large-sized Catfish (Wal- (Karamchandani et al., 1967). Though the percent- lago attu, Sperata aor, S. seenghala) was reduced age contribution of Tor tor has not shown much and production of the group was offset with variation between pre- and post-impoundment medium- and small-sized species. The abundance periods, total production of the fish has declined of Gegra (Rita pavimentata) has conspicuously along with the decline of Carp as a group from the fallen in the past 10 to 15 years due to the loss of system. Apart from commercial fisheries, the egg their favoured rocky and pebbled habitats. production potential of the species has also suf- Among the important Carp species, Tor tor fered significantly. Unni (1996) mentioned the (Figure 3) had very low production in recent river as the only natural source of Mahseer eggs years. Karamchandani et al. (1967) reported the because of high and sustained abundance. How- production of the species to fluctuate between 5.7 ever, studies conducted by the Government of Madhya Pradesh between 1987–1988 and 1995– 1996 showed decline in fry production potential of the species by nearly 78% within three decades of commissioning of the river valley projects. Based on information available from the Government of Madhya Pradesh, Mahseer production in the Nar- mada River also dropped to a low of 53 t in 1996– 1997 from 330 t recorded in 1992–1993; this is a matter of great concern. The reproduction and population growth of Foothill Carp, Labeo fimbriatus and Labeo dyocheilus, suffered like T. tor, in the post-impoundment eco-habitats of the river. Giant freshwater Figure 2. Giant freshwater Prawn (M. rosenbergii) from Nar- Prawn (M. rosenbergii) fisheries have shown a mada Estuary. declining trend during the installation of the

and continued into September. The season and location of Hilsa breeding grounds did not change greatly even after the installation of dams upstream because of the negligible impact of dams on breeding and nursing habitats of the downstream stretches. The Sardar Sarovar dam was built stage-wise in Gujarat, gradually blocking the normal river flow, restricting the Hilsa migration range, and also causing a shift in their breeding grounds. Instead of moving up to 160 km upstream, the Figure 4. Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) from Narmada Estuary. brood stock of Hilsa only ascended to 110 km and bred within 100 km of the Gulf of Cambay. In the recent past, the fishing grounds have Sardar Sarovar dam. Loss of habitats due to the moved further downwards to the Gulf of Cam- controlled flooding of riverbeds and change in bay, where about 90% of the catch is now har- depth profiles created major constraints for Prawn vested. The annual fishery for Hilsa fluctuated fisheries. even during the pre-impoundment period, and Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha), the anadromous higher catches coincided with high floods in the species (Figure 4), migrate from the Arabian river. During the filling of the Sardar Sarovar Sea to freshwater habitats in the Narmada River dam, the production, though variable, has for reproduction and population growth. It has shown a declining trend (Figure 5). Annual not been reported from the highlands and upper catch of 16,000 t of the species during 1990– hilly terrain of Madhya Pradesh (Dubey, 1984). 1991 reduced to 4000 t in 2007–2008 and indi- Karamchandani et al. (1967) were able to col- cated a 75% decline in production over a period lect good numbers of Hilsa eggs (95,000) dur- of one-and-a-half decades. ing the monsoon season for five consecutive The control of the river discharge has detrimen- years between 1959 and 1966, and the collec- tally affected the migration of Hilsa and their tion sites covered wide stretches of the lower abundance in the river. Change in salinity patterns plains in Gujarat. These findings showed that and gradual shrinkage in freshwater habitats have the breeding season commenced in June–July cumulatively affected the Hilsa fishery.

Figure 5. Annual catch of Hilsa in Narmada Estuary, 1991–2008.

Downloaded from http://read.dukeupress.edu/aehm/article-pdf/20/1-2/151/888883/151bhaumik.pdf by guest on 25 September 2021 158 Bhaumik et al./Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 20 (2017) 151–159

Conclusions Conservation of fish stocks The Narmada River system plays a significant Overfishing is one of the major causes of the role in the socioeconomic development of Madhya depletion of the fish stocks and the composition Pradesh, Gujarat, and to some extent Maharashtra. of the catches. Free fishing in the concerned Consumptive uses of river water are increasing states is an unstated right of fishers and until ad- rapidly and cannot be replaced unless suitable libitum fishing is controlled, little progress can be alternative sources are found. Given this situation, made towards conservation and development of it is imperative to develop and implement effective fisheries. Given the importance of conservation measures for conservation of available riverine for fish stocks, measures such as non-fishing sea- resources, as well as the river’s productivity and sons and areas, sanctuaries, and size limits for production functions. commercial species will have to be strictly enforced. The state authorities need to formulate the necessary measures and mechanisms for Conservation of the resources effective implementation. There is a need to improve and conserve the river water resources for the protection of the natu- Environmental protection ral flora and fauna through restoration of their habitats. Natural basin characteristics should not be Use of river waters for waste removal is com- altered, in view of their important role in providing monly practiced throughout the Narmada River necessary breeding and feeding habitats for a num- region. Both non-point and point sources have ber of commercial species, particularly the foothill contributed to degrading water quality and habitats Carps. Deep pools play an important role in shel- for aquatic flora and fauna. Discharges from cities tering fish stocks, especially large-sized fish during and industrial areas in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat fair-weather periods. An extensive survey of deep and Maharashtra are gradually increasing the pol- pools in all river sections of stakeholder states is lution loads, which are either untreated or semi- needed, with mapping of the hydro-ecological sta- treated. Singh (2009) identified some environmen- tus of pools as a basis for regular monitoring of tal hot-spots in the Gulf of Cambay. To overcome their status. There is a need to declare the deep the problem of pollution and related hazards for pools and gorges as sanctuaries or non-fishing the ecosystem and fisheries, positive measures like areas. Conservation of these deeper areas of the agglomeration of like industries, adoption of com- river would help in protecting the brood stocks of mon treatment facilities, execution of zero-effluent the fish and aid in the recovery of their depleted measures, and safe disposal of different harmful stocks. industrial elements must be adopted. The Narmada is a rain-fed system and the annual run-off is dependent on the rate of water Stock improvement flow in the catchment areas. Therefore, to restore desired and optimum habitat conditions in the dam- The populations of a number of commercially affected river stretches, a suitable flow regime important species have suffered during the post- needs to be maintained. Research in this regard is impoundment period. Species like Tor tor, Labeo needed and the recommended rate of discharge fimbriatus and Labeo dyocheilus are rare in the may be maintained, if not throughout the year then downstream area of the middle highlands and at least for the crisis periods of the flora and fauna. Broach-Baroda plains. All these species need sup- plementary support to rebuild the dwindling stocks. Accordingly, artificially bred and reared Awareness development juveniles of the concerned species should be intro- duced in properly identified and well-protected Increased awareness among stakeholders is essen- areas. Also, the spawn and eggs of other Carps tial for the conservation and development of fisheries. (Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala) In the states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and need to be released to restore and strengthen popu- Maharashtra, the fishers are mostly illiterate and need lations in depleted zones. increased awareness for conservation and eco-

friendly exploitation of the fisheries’ resources. Fur- Hora, S.L., Nair, K.K., 1941. Fishes of the Satpura range, Hoshanga- ther, other stakeholders using the river water for dif- bad district, Central Provinces. Rec. Indian Mus. 43 (3), 361– ferent purposes should also be made aware through 375. programmes for the formulation and implementation Karamchandani, S.J., Desai, V.R., Pisolkar, M.D., Bhatna- gar, G.K., 1967. Biological investigations on the fish of wide holistic conservation measures and the imple- and fisheries of Narmada river (1958–1966). Bull. 10. mentation of a common platform. CIFRI, Barrackpore. Rao, K.S., Chaterjee, S.N., Singh, A.K., 1991. Studies on the preimpoundment fisheries potential of Narmada river in References western zone. J. Inland Fish. Soc. India. 23(1), 34–51. Anon, 1999–2001. Annual reports. CIFRI, Barrackpore. Singh, S.N., 2009. River Narmada, its environment and fisher- Doria, R.S., 1990. Environmental impact of Narmadasagar ies. Bull.157. CIFRI, Barrackpore. Project. Ashish Publishing House, New Delhi. Unni, K.S., 1996. Ecology of river Narmada. A.P.H. Publishing Dubey, G.P., 1984. Narmada basin water development plan, Corporation, New Delhi. part I. Development of fisheries Narmada Project Authority, Welch, P.S., 1952. Limnology 2nd Ed. Mc Graw-Hill Book Co., Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, India. New York.

Downloaded from http://read.dukeupress.edu/aehm/article-pdf/20/1-2/151/888883/151bhaumik.pdf by guest on 25 September 2021