Abstract

CONSERVATION OF INDIGENOUS ORNAMENTAL FISH BIODIVERSITY IN THE CHAURS (WETLANDS) OF BIHAR

Anshu Kumari* and Swapna Choudhary

ABSTRACT

Ornamental fishes play an important role in the world trade in fish and fishery products, which is valued about US $9.0 billion (FAO, 2000) in which India’s share is about 1%. Wetlands include some of the most biologically and ecologically important ecosystem on the face of the earth. According to the latest information, there are more than 400 major chaurs in Bihar covering area of about 2 lakh hectares. The present Investigation reveals moderate piscine diversity and fishery, the occurrence of 26 fish species belongings to 6 orders, 13 families and 18 genera. Occurring in the zone were assessed to have of ornamental value. Fishes of Cyprinidae family was maximum. Different type local fish traps known as aanta and jhanga, gill net of different mesh size, and bag net known as Khaur were used to catch the fishes. All these fishes have food value except few of them. Among these ornamental fishes two of them are endangered and nine are vulnerable.

Keywords: Wetlands, Chaur, Indigenous ornamental fishes, fish traps, North Bihar.