India sets up Initiative to conserve indigenous fish species and river ecosystems

In an effort to protect biodiversity, Indian researchers working closely with local communities launched the initiative to study and conserve indigenous fish species in the Dikhu River. This is reported by IANS, a partner of TV BRICS.

This collaborative project integrates traditional ecological knowledge with scientific research, setting a precedent for conservation efforts in India’s northeastern region, the source claims.

The study identified 28 fish species across six orders, 13 families, and three subfamilies, with Cypriniformes accounting for 67.9 per cent of the recorded species.

Among the discoveries, the team recorded the presence of Garrabirostris, a freshwater fish previously documented in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Bhutan, now identified in Nagaland's Dikhu and Doyang rivers. This first-ever record for Nagaland highlights the ecological significance of these river systems in preserving biodiversity.

The researchers stated that habitat restoration and targeted conservation efforts for threatened species are critical to safeguarding the region's aquatic resources.

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