Coldwater Endemic Fishes of North Eastern Himalaya

7/25/2019 Coldwater Endemic Fishes of North Eastern Himalaya

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Scope of the Tea Industry in Assam forsustainable Management of Endemic ColdwaterFishes of North east India

CONFERENCE PAPER NOVEMBER 2015

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1 AUTH O R:

Prashanta Bordoloi

Kaziranga University

12 PUBLICATIONS 1 CITATION

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Available from: Prashanta BordoloiRetrieved on: 06 February 2016
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Coldwater Endemic Fishes of North Eastern Himalaya: Avenues and Challenges 5 -6November, Gangtok

Scope of the Tea Industry in Assam for sustainable Management of Endemic ColdwaterFishes of North east India

By

Prof. Prashanta Kumar Bordoloi, Assam Kaziranga University, Karaikhowa, NH 37, JorhatAssam. 785006, [email protected]

Mr Arupjyoti Borgohain, Amalgamated Plantation Limited, Teok TE, Jorhat, [email protected]

Mr Shankar Barua, Hatikhuli TE, Amalgamated Plantation Limited, [email protected]

Introduction :The North eastern region of India shares its fish fauna predominantly with that of Indo-Gangetic and to a small extent with the Burmese and South China (Yadav and Chandra, 1994). Sarkarand Ponniah (2000) listed 197 potential food , sports and aquarium fish species belonging to 27families under 74 genera. The National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR, ICAR), Lucknow, in1992 identified 9 endemic fishes of NE Region as most threatened. These are Ompok pabda, Ompok

pabo, Labeo dyocheilus, Semiplotus semiplotus, Olyra longicaudata, Psilorhynchus homaloptera,Noemacheilous elongates, Belitorra brucci, and Barbus dukai. It is reported that out of the 600 freshwater fishes identified in India, 320 are assessed through conservation assessment and managementplan (CAMP) workshop under the BCCP jointly organised by the organised by the NBFGR and and ZooOutreach organization of the IUCN in 1996, of this 320 species 105 were from NE Region alone; 4 of

it were catagorised as critically endangered, 17 as endangered 40 as vulnerable, 34 as lower risknear threatened, 7 as lower risk least concern etc. The 4 species under CR category are GarraLitanensis Viswanath, G Manipurensis, abrychthys garoenchis Hora , and Lapedocephaleusgoalparensis, of these 3 species are endemic to this region.

Assam alone is a home of 185 species belonging to 98 genera under 34 families offishes. This group has 33 representatives endemic to the region. These are what one laystheir hands on, in the remote and inaccessible areas how many fish species are yet to be leftdiscovered, none comprehends. A random survey conducted around 1996-98 25 specieswere identified as threatened species that faces danger of being extinct at different level ofdanger. Although, this workshop is about endangered cold water species of fish, as aconcerned citizen, we would like to delve into entire gamut of the problem to discuss thebright possibility of not only protection and conservation but also commercially exploit therich fauna in a sustainable way through the organised corporate sector. Erstwhile Tata TeaLimited, converted into Amalgamated Plantation Limited is embarking upon an ambitiousplan of utilising the lowlying areas unfit for raising tea plantation, within its 26 estates of theNorth East India, as rainwater harvesting water bodies in situ to improve upon the micro-climate to take on meteorological drought, and use of the water bodies in multifacetedactivities like, recreation, tourism apart from using it as fisheries. In a nascent way, theCompany took up operation research project and it proved beneficial at experimental levelitself. Fish has great marketing potential in this non-vegetarian food habit region and bearspromise of success in this venture.

Given below are the excerpts of authors comprehensive report on Water ManagementStrategy for Amalagamated Tea Plantation Limited, which is self-explanatory. Anydevelopment for comfort is always against a price. With the multiplying; demand for comfortin developed and developing societies puts on tremendous pressure on natural resourcesand also generation of waste degradable non-degradable. The price for the comfort is so
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dearer that as a fallout change of climate is creeping in. This is a threat to the veryexistence of human being. lET US NOT PROSPER OVEREXPLOITING MOTHERNATURE, BORROWING THE FUTURE OF THE POSTERITY . The alarmed world, afterthreadbare deliberation, univocally adopted the strategy for sustainable development.INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLEDEVELOPMENT

At the Rio de Janeiro Conference on Environment and Development, Principle 3characterised sustainable development as the right to development. Sustainabledevelopment means economic development and improvement in standards of living whichdo not impair the future ability of the environment to provide sustenance .This strategy has tobe region specific which aims at ecological restoration and improvement of microclimatevis-a-vis development activities. This has been advocated by the tea industry of NE Indiaadopting the strategy by cutting off the chemical load on soil and plant environment(inorganic fertilizer, pesticide, fungicide, weedicide and miticide etc.), conserving soil andwater through watershed management approach on one hand and restoring ecologicalbalance through bio-control, improvement of micro-climate through rainwater harvesting inwatershed and through agro-forestry on roadside, drain side and low areas in estates with

appropriate land use planning.Mist or humidity has profound impact on flushing of tea plants. This is climaticrequirement of tea. It is experimentally established that if the air is too dry, with other climaticcondition met, tea plant will not flush even after irrigation application. Prof. M K V Carrestablished that at 2 MPa saturation vapour pressure deficit (a measure of air dryness) teabuds do not unfold. Except for Upper Assam tea district, this limit of saturation vapourpressure deficit exceed from February to mid April in the Brahmaputra and Barak valley teadistricts and upto end April in Dooars. Humidity is not a limiting factor in the main croppingseason, as the Pre-monsoon, South west monsoon originates for the succour to the thirstysoil and the plant. With rise of ambient temperature, air dries up, which demands morevapour from land; building up of wind to gust and thunderstorm carries away the humidityfrom the estate resulting acceleration of transpiration of the plants. Plants hardly utilises 1%

of water extracted from soil for metabolic activity of photosynthesis; rest water is required fortranspiration. Transpiration ensures opening up of stomata through which enters carbon dioxide gas from air. When the soil dries up in late winter (February March), soil moisturetension set up; tea plants have to exert more force to extract soil moisture. As defencemechanism, the plants close down the stomata. It results in retarding/ stoppage of metabolicactivity. Maintaining turgidity is the sole objective of water management of crop.

Highly uneven distribution of rainfall give rise to twain problem of water management intea excess soil moisture leading to water logging, and deficit rainfall in winter inducemoisture stress in tea plants. Both situations is responded by the plants by closing downstomata for self defence; this result in loss of crop and productivity. Waterlogging is theprimary cause of declining of productivity, it also speed up ageing because weakening of thebush, conditions become favourable for pest and diseases, weed infestation.

Ill effect of drought can be substantially minimised if microclimate can be improved.The glaring example is Hathikuli TE, it suffers the least in drought despite without irrigation.Large scale water harvesting, albeit for fish cultivation, has improved the microclimate withsoothing moist air emanating from the water bodies. Under such humid condition,transpiration needs of the plant reduces, which indirectly help it to maintain turgidity ofcanopy. Benefit derived from improving micro-climate is intangible. Good stand of shade notonly help the bush but also act as wind barrier too. All the estates on south bank are havingrolling topography highly crissed-crossed by several hollas, shallow and deep. Already someof the hollas are developed for fishery excavating six to eight feet deep tanks. Although innascent stage, fisheries are reportedly proved to be a profitable venture, and the company isplanning for widening the scope. In the respective visit reports, the possibility of large scalewater harvesting cum fishery development is mentioned. Shallow hollas can be excavated torequired depth (6-8 feet) leaving collector drains on holla sides for segregating the drainageeffluent away from fisheries, as is practised now.


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Some of the hollas are cultivated with paddy by the workers. These hollas can alsobe developed for water harvesting, in fact to gear up for braving the climate changescenario. However, it is a delicate social issue, which warrants careful handling. Probablyservice of Sociologist of TISS, Guwahati can be drafted to derive an amicable solution.Working out a win win solution is the key to conflict resolution. May be integration of fisherywith paddy can be one solution. Sustained productivity at high level, (not optimum, as ouragricultural practice are yet to reach precision agricultural stage) was the driving force for usin the visit, bearing in mind the danger of climate change looming large over all of us. Forany crop, health is derived from the soil upon which it is raised and the life of the crop is onwater. Soil and water, are integral part of sustained productivity strategy; need development,but not borrowing from future generation, ie, exploitation. The world community congregatedin Kyoto and prescribed sustained development to be the strategy to meet the challenge ofclimate change. The sustained development strategy has to be region specific. Thesuggestions prescribed to individual estates was made bearing in mind the above learnedcounsel of the world community on climate change, taking into account the geomorphologyof the areas, the climate, soil and plantation. The strategy is build on the strength andremove the inherent weakness based on research findings.

In almost all the estates barring Mongoldoi district estates and Dooars estates,rainwater harvesting at watershed level was noticed, which is a very positive step forcombating ill effects of climate change. TRA advocated this strategy way back in eightiesand showcased in Aenakhal TE, Cachar; create huge water bodies in the low valley fill areasbetween the hillocks, high flats and plateaus, locally coined as Kunchis .

In the Brahmaputra valley, the scale of development of water bodies in the low areasof the estates, which are otherwise not suitable for raising tea, is quite large compared to

Lakes created in Kunchis of Barak Valley

other tea estates. It deserve kudos for being in the forefront in gearing up to take on theonslaught of evils of climate change, though it is done primarily for diversification, to use asfisheries.


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Water Bodies created in Hollas of Brahmaputra Valley Estates through excavation irrespective deep or shallow holla.

Prospects and Problems : From water management perspective, the plantation issuffering the twin menace of waterlogging and moisture stress, to varying degrees, insummer and winter season respectively. This is owing to uneven distribution of rainfall indifferent period of rainfall. Waterlogging problem becomes critical, if the outlet is restrictedlike in Teok, Nahortoloi, part of Naharkatiya, Namroop and Lattakoojan, Nonoi, NoweraNuddy TEs. This is because of the land formation, (geo-morphological setting) on whichestates are situated. Alluvial land form like that in the Brahmaputra valley (from Sadiya to

Terai) follows a sequential terrace, high on the mountain front, called the Bhabar zone (itconsists of upper piedmont plains, lower piedmont plains, for commoners it is the foothills)which gradually merging into the slightly undulating surfaces of old and new alluvial plains.The geomorphic units of the valley are 1) denudational hills, ii) high level fan cut terraces ofpiedmont zone, iii) medium level alluvial plains, iv) low level alluvial plain, v) flood plain andvi) paleo-channel or abandoned river courses. (These information is provided to drawwisdom for framing sustained development strategy). These divisions are more prominent in

Dooars andpart of lower

Assam on theNorth Bank;but clear cutdivisions arenot noticed inthe Central andUpper Assamportion of theNorth Bankfrom Dhansiri(south) river toSadiya, andvery lessprominent onentire south

bank. Estate specific geomorphic units, as available with TRA is provided herewith forreference. Geomorpholgy and geohydrolgy is inseparable for delving sustained water


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management strategy. There are limited scope in Dering of Hathikhuli, Hattigaon ofKellyden, Diffloo,Powai, Hattigarhdiv of Nahorani,

Damdim,Rungamatti TEsfor

creationhuge water

bodies,impounding

water in deephollas, simply byraising the roadlinking the twohigh tea lands,across the holla,

in layers of 45cmsoil comapctingto 30cm andprovided with twohume pipe

culverts at higher level on the firm ground by tea sides to spillover the excess flow, as asafety valve, without involving any excavation, like it was done for New Addabari Division of

Addabari TE of MRIL. These lakes can be utilised for touristic purposes, as fisheries, forwater sports, boating; adding ornamental teas along the banks including orchids apossibility immense in the true spirit of enterprenurship. In fact, in Assam and Bengal touristsin Kaziranga, Nameri, North Bengal forest have to kill time in lesion in the afternoon hoursafter in the joying early morning safaries, rafting etc. These waterbodies can keep them

engage with enlifetime experience having watersport in serene, pristine setting of teaplantation with rolling plucking table which is a feast to the eye itself.

There are many hollas shallow in depth, which can be deepen to 6 feet depth. Itinvolves excavating 645504 cft of soil, or 40 JCB days excavating 16,000 cft of soil in eighthours a day. Dr4ainage effluent is need to be skirted away the ponds to prevent pollution. Itis a huge quantity of earth work, demands prior planning of disposal of earth; may be onesolution can be sell it to people looking for soil for earth filling. There are hollas shallow indepth


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Drainage perspective - Achabam, Nahorkatiya, Namroop, Chubwa, Nahortoli, Borhat,Teok,Lamabari these estatesare located onLow levelalluvial plains.These estatesmarginallyabove thesurroundingflood plains.Slightlyundulatingsurfaceseperated byhollas, mostly

cultivated withpaddy. In mostpart of Achabam, Nahorkatiya land relief (level difference of tea land with holla beared) isadequate and therefore, those hollas are the drainage base for the estates. Towards thelower edge, tea reas are merged into hollas and therefore, it called for developing the hollasupto the recipient rivers. In case of Nahortoli, Namroop, Chubwa, Borhat and Teok, thereciepient rivers got chocked, strategy for which was discussed above. Namroop, althoughsituated on the bank of Desam, is actually falls into the catchment of Burhi-Dehing rivers.Several hollas on the eastern boundary used to drain the watershed to the Burhi-Dehingpassing through the adjoining paddy land. Over the years, owing to environmentaldegradation, complicated later by the railtract to BVFCL factory, these hollas got extinct,forcing the estate to reverse the maindrains to Desang cutting deep drains. It caused gully

erosion, plugging measures are suggested in the report; also add to the river erosion of teaareas. Removal of boulders from the riverbed triggerds bank erosion. Eco-friendly bio-engineering measures are suggested to offer friction against the eroding velocity of the riveron deluge raising locallyavailable vegetation on the exposed riverfront along with vetiver.Even Borzhao bon should also be tried, which can be multiplied by stump planting of maturebranches collecting from Brahmaputra riverside (In Jhanjimukh area vendors sells Bor Zhaobranches in bundles for use as firewood. This will not alter the course of the river as ishappen with structural measures. Similar bio-engineering measures are adopted for erosionprotection of Malaysias new capital city Putra Jaya succesfully.

Powai TE

Namrup TE

Achabam TE

Chubwa TE

Nahortoli TE APO = Old Alluvial Plain, higher land, undulating

APY= Young alluvial plain, Lowflats, little higher than floodplain

FP= flood plain

Naharkatiya TE

Borhat TE


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Powai, Kakojan, Borjan, Lattakoojan, Diffloo, Sagmootea, Hathikuli, Kellyden,Lattakoojan, Nonoi, Nahorani and Lamabari are located on Old alluviums. These aresituated on Medium level alluvial plains, higher in elevation than the lower alluvial plains. Byand large, these estates are therefore, well drained. At the periphery, some portion ofKakojan, Borjan, Nonoi and Lamabari are merging into the low level plain, and plantation onthat marginal land is suffering from high water table. Measures are suggested foramelioration. In these estates, the intervenning hollas are serving as drainage base or outlet.

Some of thehollas are asdeep as 10 to 12feet (Powai,

Lattakoojan,Bhatoubari div. of

Borjan,Sagmootea,

Hathigaon div. ofKellyden,

Hathibari div. ofNahorani, even inpart of Achabam), some are asshallow as 2 to 5

feet (Kellyden div. Nonoi, Diffloo, Sagmootea lower part, Hathikuli, Nahorani div. Lamabari,Borjan division). Shallow hollas (less than 3 feet depth) are to be deepen by 3 feet on alongthe edges to drainout the tea areas.

Majuli Island

Teok TE

Kakojan

Swamp


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Borjan TE

Difflu TE Hathikuli TE

Lattakujan TE

NRL

Paleochannel orOx-bow lake leftby Dhansiri R,

good for fishery

Nonoi TE

Kellyden TE

Jakhalabandha


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Majuli, Hattigor, Batabari, Rungamati and Damdim are situated on lower end of highlevel terraces at the foothills. These terraces are occupied by the tea estates and reserveforest. The area is built up by the coalescence of several alluvial fans consisting ofunconsolidated boulder, gravels, pebbles, cobbles, sands, silt and clays. These forms a

highly recharge zone, ie, most part of the rainfall lost into the soil ending up recharging theground water reservoir, which seep out in lower plains like in jhoras of Rungamati TEthrough adjoining paddyland near Section 1 and 2 and seasonally in the jhoras inside the

Lamabari TE

Jia Bharali R

Nameri RF, high land

Mora Bharali, abandoned by Bharali,good for fishery from Parua chariali to

outfall at the Brahmaputra

Nahorani TE

Majuli

Hattigorh

Lake form by the guide bund can be utilized for

fishery and water sport activity


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estates. The land through which seepage water from upper catchment of the foothills flowingparennialy is classified as Terai by the geologists; it is a Persian word meaning weeping.However in tea plantation terminology, a strip of low land below foothills ranging 22km to 36

km width in North Bengal is referred as Terai. In Terai zones, seepage dams areimplemented successfully.

Therefore, in the Bhabar zone areas (Majuli, Hattigorh, Batabari, Rungamati) rainwaterharvesting or fishery may not besuccessful, as stored water shallleaked out quickly through theporous soil. The tank in Hattigorhis exceptional, which was in fact a

brick manufacturing pit, almostclay plastered, which sealed thepores. However, in Rungamatithere are prospect of developingseepage water reservoir byexcavating 8-10 feet deep tanksin the paddy lands near section 1and 2. It is already attempted inan experimental scale, which canenlarged in the coming cold

weather. This shall improve microclimate as well as shall be prospecting fisherydevelopment.


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In all the Estates in the Brahmaputra Valley, effects of Localised Water Logging (LWL)was noticed in old plantations, which was mentioned in visit report. LWL takes place for 2reasons- inadequate land levelling in the past,(might be owing to absence of a land leveller)and or leaving the excavated soil of drains by it sides, thus creating small bund sealing theescape route of surface water.


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Hydrology of Alluvial Fans Fans often act as aquifers:

Often lake, springs at base:

Conclusion : Hollas area liability for a tea estate, however, the problem can be transformedinto a prospect with technology. Amalgamated tea Plantation holds promise in this directionaddressing water management problem . For a fishery of cold water fishes, water should be freefrom heavy metal contamination and free from turbidity. It should be well connected, have theprovision of electricity; pH should be within the range of 6.5 to 8, and water temperature should notexceed 20 deg C. However, trout can tolerate upto 24 deg C. Therefore, with the shade tree cover,rain water harvested in tea plantation hold a good promise for raising fishery in organised sector.However, the tea industry lacks technology backup for such a venture. This void can be filled up theDCFR, through its regional office. Participation of organised sector can usher a silent blue reviolutionin the NE India.


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Since we all are convinced that most of the hill stream food fishes which are having a very highdemand in the local communities like Silgharia (L. dero, L.dyocheilus, L.pungusia etc.), Pithia (Torspecies), and Mahseers are in the list of either in endangered or threaten species. Besides the foodfishes, most of the hill stream ornamental fish species area also in the verge of extinction. So its thehigh time to think of those species and to do something for them.

For instance the Silgharia species, which was found abundantly in the Dhansiri River andKailani River of Golaghat district in Assam which are flowing from Naga Hills and Karbi Hills. But atpresent this species is hardly seen in these rivers.

Currently in all sections, people are talking, creating mass awareness to save Rhinos, Tigersetc. But nobody is giving an importance to save our endemic fish species except very few. Since weare already late, we should progress fast with a focused planning and strategy for research to savethe fishes.

Issues that need to address:1) Study on the present status of these endemic species.2) Study on the habit and habitat of these species.3) Studies on the captive breeding and seed rearing of these species.

4) Studies and formulating a controlled culture practice for these species.5) Market study for these species.What we can do:1) The first step towards conservation of this species is to formulating a plan of action

in a collaborative mode: Here we can involve private institutions in a PPP mode for necessaryresearch support in terms of infrastructure, manpower and creating mass awareness etc.

2) Transfer of Breeding and culture technology: Once after successful completion ofresearch on captive breeding and culture technology, disseminate it to the people for farming. It willhelp to minimize the illegal fishing in the natural habitat.

3) Involving the corporate houses: Here we can approach and convince the Corporatehouses to work on the conservation part like establishment of Hatcheries for ranching of these

species as part of their CSR programme.

Documents

Coldwater Endemic Fishes of North Eastern Himalaya