Nagaland University researchers collaborate with local community to conserve indigenous fish species

Nagaland University Researchers are collaborating with the local community to study and conserve indigenous Fish Species in Dikhu River, Nagaland.

This research integrates traditional ecological knowledge from local villagers to better understand fish diversity, fish species assessment, indigenous fishing techniques, and community-based fishing practices, an approach that is uncommon in scientific studies in the region.

The Dikhu River is one of the most important tributaries of the Brahmaputra and is home to many freshwater species crucial for local biodiversity and the economy

The study underscored an urgent need for focused conservation efforts in the river systems of Nagaland. These systems support a unique and rich biodiversity but are threatened by increasing human encroachment and unsustainable practices.

It showed that the Dikhu River is not only vital for local communities but also plays an important role in global conservation efforts.

The research team from the Zoology Department, Nagaland University (Lumami Campus) and ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, aimed to explore and document the ichthyofaunal diversity of the Dikhu River in Nagaland.

They focused on the lack of comprehensive data on fish species in the river and the pressing threats these species face due to anthropogenic pressures such as habitat destruction, overfishing, and destructive fishing techniques.

The study, funded by ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow recorded 28 fish species across 6 orders, 13 families, and 3 subfamilies, with Cypriniformes being the most dominant order (67.9%).

The Research was led by Dr. Pranay Punj Pankaj, Associate Professor, Department of Zoology, Nagaland University (Lumami Campus) and Ms. Metevinu Kechu, Research Scholar, Nagaland University.

Elaborating on the need for such research, Dr. Pranay Punj Pankaj, Associate Professor, Department of Zoology, Nagaland University (Lumami Campus), said, “The study is significant because the Dikhu River and its fish species have received limited attention in scientific literature.

Thus, this study makes a valuable contribution to the body of knowledge on the freshwater ecosystems of North Eastern India. The findings are vital for conservation strategies aimed at preserving freshwater biodiversity in North Eastern India, a biodiversity hotspot. Documenting threatened fish species and their population trends will support targeted conservation efforts.”

Dr. Pranay Punj Pankaj added, “We need collaborative efforts involving local communities, conservationists and Government authorities to ensure the sustainability of river ecosystems. There is also a need for stricter regulations on destructive fishing methods, habitat protection and the promotion of traditional, sustainable fishing techniques as part of an integrated conservation strategy.”

The same research team also documented the first-ever record of Garra birostris, a freshwater fish species previously found in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Bhutan and now recorded in the Doyang and Dikhu rivers.

This discovery further enriches Nagaland’s ichthyofauna and highlights the ecological significance of these river systems in maintaining biodiversity.

The Researchers also focus on providing solutions to improve fish conservation including promoting sustainable fishing practices, habitat restoration, and leveraging traditional ecological knowledge from local communities.

Additionally, the study aimed to identify and document these fish species’ conservation status and population trends, focusing on threatened species in the region.