CHECK LIST OF ICHTHYOFAUNA OF MAAN STREAM, HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA
SANDEEP KUMAR *
Department of Zoology, Govt.College, Bhoranj (H.P.), India.
DEVENDRA PAL SINGH
Department of Zoology, Janta Vedic College, Baraut,CCS University Meerut (U.P), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Maan stream (Maan Khad) is a tributary of Beas River located at 31O 45.708N; 76 O 20.532 E. The total length of this stream is about 40 Km & total catchment area is approximately 183.5 sq Km. The fish fauna of this stream was studied during March 2019-March 2021. Sampling sites from origin of stream towards confluence with River, were located at Karahe, Ree, Sandvi, Kashmir, Gouna Karore and Maanpul. Fish specimens were caught by licensed fishermen using cast nets and line & rod. Preservation of fish samples was done in 10% formalin solution. Total 204 specimens representing 25 fish species belonging to 21 genera, 11 families (Cyprinidae, Nemacheilidae, Cobitidae, Bagridae, Amblycipitidae, Channidae, Mastacembelidae, Belonidae, Sisoridae, Heteropneustidae and Siluridae) and 5 orders (Cypriniformes, Siluriformes, Perciformes, Synbranciformes and Beloniformes) were recorded from this stream. As a conservation measure no fishing was done for two months during monsoon season when fishing was prohibited and season was declared as closed season. When more than 3 fishes of a species got trapped in the cast net maximum 3 fishes were caught and preserved for future, other fishes were released alive in their habitat. Conservation measures should be continued for conservation of these fish species in future also.
Keywords: Ichthyofauna, hill stream, conservation measures