ICHTHYOFAUNA OF WESTERN REGION OF NARMADA RIVER, MADHYA PRADESH

Narmada River is the largest Westward flowing river of India. It is also referred as the life line of Madhya Pradesh. Present study was aimed to generate information on the ichthyofauna of Western region of the river Narmada. During the study period, 58 fish species have been identified belonging to 38 genera, 16 families and 6 orders. The fishes caught are divided into commercially important species like Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Cirrhinus mrigala; locally important species like Tor spp., Channa spp., Mystus spp. etc. and ornamental fishes like Nandus nandus, Nemacheilus botia, Salmostoma bacaila, Colisa fasciatus etc. Tor tor and Chitala chitala, once abundant in the river, now are registered under endangered condition. Varying distribution patterns of different species of fisher have been observed at various segments of the river. Therefore, the present study indicates towards the necessity of the study of fish diversity for conservation and management of fish germplasm.