Ganga & brahmaputra

Ganga & brahmaputra

1. Dept. of Fisheries Resources and Management College of Fisheries, KVAFSU Mangalore-575002 Biodiversity of Ganga River

2. The Ganga river system (total length 8,047 Km) The Ganga is a major river of the Indian subcontinent rising in the Himalaya Mountains and flowing about 2,525 km.

3. Basic Information about the Ganges River of India Total Length of River Ganges 2,525 Kms (1,560 miles) Average depth of Ganga River 52 Feet (maximum depth, 100 feet) Place of Origin of Ganga River Foot of Gangotri Glacier Area drained by Ganges River 1,000,000 Square Kilo meters (10 Lak ) Major Tributaries of Ganges Yamuna, Son, Kosi , Gandak , Gomati, Ghaghara, Bhagirathi etc... Cities on the bank of Ganges Kanpur, Soron , Allahabad , Varanasi, Patna, Ghazipur , Bhagalpur, Mirzapur , Buxar , Saidpur etc... Reverine Res. 450000km 15, 45

4. 15- Major rivers- Catchments >20,000 km2 45 - Medium rivers - Catchments >2000 to 20,000 km2 Innumerable small rivers and desert streams 1.Himalayan river system –(Ganga, Indus & Brahmaputra) 2.Peninsular river system (East & west coast river system) The river system of the country comprises: The major river systems of India on basis of drainage- broadly divided into;

5. The main channel carries its maximum volume of water during July –September at flow rates between 40,000 and 50,000 m 3 /second . But in winter and summer months-dwindled to about 3,000 m 3 /second

6. Profile of Ganga River System River system Name of main river Approximate length (km) state G A N G A Ganga 2,525 Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, west Bengal Ramganga 569 Uttar Pradesh Gomti 940 Uttar Pradesh Ghaghra 1,080 Uttar Pradesh, Bihar Gandak 300 Bihar Kosi 492 Bihar Yamuna 1,376 Punjab, Hariyana , Delhi, Uttar Pradesh Chambal 1,080 Madya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan Tons 264 Uttar Pradesh Son 784 Uttar Pradesh ken 360 Madya Pradesh

7. Sub-Stretches of The Ganga River Upper Ganga; Gangotri to Haridwar UG-1. Gangotri -Gangnani (35.4 km) UG-2. Gangnani-Devprayag (145.8 km) UG-3. Dev Prayag -Haridwar (84.88 km) Middle Ganga; Haridwar to Varanasi MG-1. Haridwar- Bijnor (77.39 km) MG-2. Bijnor-Narora (156.45 km) MG-3. Narora-Fatehgarh (185 km) MG-4. Fatehgarh -Allahabad (331 km) MG-5. Allahabad-Varanasi (144 km) Lower Ganga; Varanasi to Ganga Sagar LG-1. Varanasi-Patna (253 km) LG-2. Patna-Bhagalpur (234 km) LG-3. Bhagalpur- Farakka (154 km) LG-4. Farakka-Ganga Sagar (98 km)

8. Habitat For The Fishes Upper Ganga: The river in the upper reach flows on steep bed and narrow terrain. The substrate is mostly rocks, boulders and stones The water is very cold (ice melt) having turbulent flow under high velocities sometimes up to 2.0-3.0 m/sec Rapids are the major habitat followed by deep pools and riffles The water is pristine or near pristine with little or no pollution Middle Ganga: River bed is wide with extensive flood plains, meandering streams on sand and pebbles The temperatures of water are moderate and velocities low 20-30 cm/sec Lower Ganga: The river in lower reach has problems of sediment load, flooding and silt deposition through a meandering water course The flows are comparatively more after the confluence of major tributaries The substrate is usually of silt over sand and accumulation of degrading organic matter

9. Biological Communities – Diversity Major categories Ecological groups Taxonomic categories Name of organisms Plant materials PhytoplanktonPhytobenthos Chlorophyceae Euglena, Volvox, Chlamydomonas, Closterium Spirogyra, Microspora, Ulothrix, Hydrodictyon, Cladophora, Stigeoclonium, Schizogonium Bacillariophyceae Fragilaria, Cymbella, Navicula, Nitzschia, Gomphonema, Surirella, Synedra, Diatoma, Amphora, Hantzschia, Tabellaria, Stauroneis, Coconeis, Ceratoneis, Neidium, Rhoicosphenia , Pinnularia Cyanophyceae Nostoc, Anabena, Oscillatoria, Rivularia Plants parts Aquatic weeds Uticularia, Hydrilla, Vallisnaria, Aquatic ferns, mosses L eaves , twig, wood P ieces and particles, fibres of higher plants Animal materials Zooplankton Protozoans Amoeba, Euglena, Paramecium, Colpidium, Arcella, Zoogloea Rotifera Ascomorpha, Asplanchna, Trichocera, Philodina, Lacane, keratella, Brachionus , Notholca, Polyarthra Copepoda Cyclops, Diaptomus and their larval forms. Cladocera Daphnia, Bosmania , Mesocyclops , Nauplius , Ceriodaphnia and larval forms

10. Zoobenthos Plecoptera (nymph of stone flies) Pereinella , Arcynopteryx , Isoperla , Aeronuria , Nemoura , Atoperla Odonata (nymphs of dragon flies) Argia , Corixa , Octogomphus , Epicordula , Perogomphus , Enallagma Ephemeroptera (mayfly, nymphs) Baetidae , Caenidae , Ephemerillidae , Heptageniidae , Leptophlebiidae , Neoephemeridae Trichoptera (caddis larvae) Hydropsychidae , Brachycentridae , Polycentropodidae , Glossosomatidae , Limnephilidae , Helicopsychidae , Hydroptilidae , Leptoceridae , Limnephilidae , Rhyacophilidae Diptera Muscidae , Syrphidae,Tipulide , Limoniidae , Athericidae , Chironomidae , Culicidae , Dixidae , Heleidae , Simuliidae , Tabanidae Others Nymphal stages of water beetles and waters bugs Coleoptera (water beetles) Sternolophus , Dianous , Helochares , Promoresia , Lacobin , Paracymus , Gyramus , Prephynus , Coelostoma , Dysticus , Potamonectes , Hydracna Hemiptera (water bugs) Micronocta , Helocoris , Lactotrephos , Corexia , Gerris etc. Others Some molluscs ( Neliosoma , Musculium , Physa , Macrobranchium ), nouroptoranflios , water scorpions and water mites. Nekton Small sized fishes, larvae, fry and fingerlings of fishes (during food stress may be used as food by the large sized specimens or as usual diet for piscivorous fishes), amphibian tadpole as well as small sized higher vertebrates which find their way accidentally in the streams. Parts of animal body Fins, scales, bone pieces and teeth of aquatic vertebrates, parts of exoskeleton of arthropoda , pieces of molluscan shells.

11.  Categories Species Genus Families (a) No. of fish from fresh water (UG-1 to LG-3) 189 80 28 (b) No. of fish from brackish waters (LG-4) 156 119 67 ( c) Common fin fishes 13 9 7 Total 358 208 102 Ganga river supports a large number of endemic and exotic species of fishes . The 265 species in inland fresh waters and waters of Hooghly estuary were reported. The compilation of records from other reports, research papers and dissertations and theses of academic institutes add up to 358 Fish Diversity Of The Ganga River Vass et al. (2008)

12. Commercially Important Fishes Important Fishes Of Hooghly Estuary Tenualosa (Hilsa) ilisha Polynemus paradiseus P. parsia P. pama P. Calcarifer P. Indicus Harpodon neherus Setipinna phasa Trichiursus spp Scianna biauritus Ilisha elongata Tachysurus jella Stromateus cinereus (A ).Indian Major carps Cirrhina mrigala Catla catla Labeo rohita L. calbasu ( B).Other Carps Labeo pangusia L. bata L. dero Cirrhina reba ( C). Large cat fishes Sperata aor S. seenghala Silonia silondia Wallaga attu Pangasius pangasius Bagarius bagarius Rita rita ( D) Other cat fishes Clupisoma garua Eutropiichthys vacha Ailia coila Ompok bimaculatus Ompak pabda (E). Clupeoides Hilsa ilisha Setipinna phasa Gudusia chapra (F).Feather backs Notopterus notopterus C. chitala (G).Exotic and other fishes Cyprinus carpio * Oreochromis niloticus * Aristichthys nobilis * (Stray catch) Ctenopharyngodon idella * (Stray catch) Hypophthalmichthys molitrix * (Stray catch) Clarias gariepinus * (Stray catch) Puntius sophore P.conchonius Channa punctata C. Marulia

13. The commercial value fishes includes: 1.Prized Gangetic carps 2.Large catfishes 3.Featherbacks 4.Murrels

14. Major Carps Cat Fishes Hooghly Estuary Fishes

15. Mystus dibrugarensis Parambassis lala Arius maculatus Rasbora rasbora Badis badis

16. Schizothorax progastus Salmophasia bacaila Labeo pangusia Danio rerio Labeo boga Barilius tileo Barilius vagra Bangana ariza Barilius barna

17. Diversity In The Upper Ganga The sub stretch Gangotri to Gangnani is no Fish zone The river continuum is disturbed between Gangnani and Devprayag due to multiple hydroelectric projects. The reach between Gangnani to Devprayag is inhabited by carps. The most typical being Trouts, Schizothorax (7sp) and Garra (3sp), Barillius , Nemachilus , Glyptothorax From Devprayag to Haridwar a few species of Mahaseer ( Tor tor , T. putitora ), a few catfishes and Clupeoides make their appearance. Mahaseer ( Tor sp) is the most characteristic species of the reach Ganga River at Maneri Bhali I

18. Diversity In Middle Ganga As per records 138 species belonging to 69 genus and 26 families have been reported Cyprinidae is the largest group with 39 species which include commercial major carps and other minor carps The reach shows decline of carps and increase in catfishes and forage fishes Family MG - 1 MG-2 MG-3 MG-4 MG-5 Scheilbedae 1 1 2 5 2 Amblyceptidae 1 - - - - Cyprinidae 39 16 28 11 22 Anabontidae 6 - - 1 5 Sissoridae 4 1 - 2 3 Cobitidae 4 5 3 2 3 Chandidae 4 3 6 7 6 Notopteridae 2 2 2 2 2 Clupeidae - 1 - 2 3 Bagridae 3 7 7 9 7 Mugillidae 1 1 1 - 2 Siluridae - 1 5 3 - Total 65 38 54 44 55 The Distribution of Fishes in the Middle Ganga

19. Diversity In Lower Ganga The zone sustains- 101 species belonging to 25 families 77 genra . The most important groups like in middle Ganga are Cyprinidae which includes 34 species The characteristic group of fishes in the zone is the major carps and large catfishes and other Catfishes, Clupeiods and Featherbacks

20. Diversity (Hooghly- Matlah Estuary) Hooghly Maltah estuary is the largest estuary spanning to about 0.8 million ha The fresh water system is represented by Hooghly river and its tributary Rupnaryan and many estuarine distributaries and creeks. The Hooghly- Matlah estuary is known for its faunastic richness The fauna represented by 156 species in 119 genra and 67 families, which is evidenced by annual catch of about 40,000 tons . The estuary is big which is influenced by 290 km by tidal influence It is believed that the ecology of the Hooghly estuary has significantly changed after commissioning of Farakka barrage in 1975

21. Marine species migrating upstream and spawning in fresh water areas of the estuaries like Tenualosa ( Hilsa ) Ilisha , Polynemus paracliseus , Sillago panijus Pama pama Fresh water species which spawn in saline areas viz. Pangasius pangasius Macrobrachium rosenbergii Marine forms coming into saline zones of the estuary for breeding like Tachysurus jella , Osteogeniosos militaris , Polynemus indicus and Eleutherosema tetradactylum . The Species Composition Can Be Graded Into Three Groups

22. Fishing Gears Hook and line is the main gear in the upper most stretch where no organized fisheries exist. Since game fishes exist in the reach, the only possibility is angling The variously designed gears are used to suit local conditions such as depth of water, water velocity and type of fish to be caught. Dragnets (major and minor), Gill nets, purse net, scoop net, cast nets, set barriers, traps, are normally used in fresh water stretches In estuaries system , sine nets, purse nets, drift nets, lift nets, cast nets, bag nets, set gillnets, set barrier nets and traps are used

23. On an average fish yield has fluctuated in the stretch between a high of 230 tonnes to a low of 12.74 tonnes during 1958-1995 . But major carps – 83.5 kg/ha/ yr to 2.55 kg/ha/ yr during 1958-1995 Decades Catch/km 1950s 1,344 1960s 1,168 1970s 529 1980s 665 1990s 333 2000s 362 The average catches from Ganga river system at Allahabad in different decades made by CIFRI - Annual report CIFRI,2008

24. Pollution and Toxicity: More than -29 cities -70 towns -Thousands of villages Situated along the banks of the Ganga Estimated 260 million lit of Industrial wastes dumped into the Ganga Nearly all of their sewage - over 1.3 billion L/d goes directly into the river - Organic waste - Sewage - Solid waste - Human and Animal remains The majority of the pollution of Ganga is

25. Pharmaceutical companies Electronics plants Textile and paper Industry Tanneries Fertilizers manufacturers oil refineries The major polluting industries are: - Hydrochloric acid - Heavy metals (mainly chromium from leather Industry ) - Bleaches - Dyes - Pesticides The hazardous waste includes from these industries are- There are also coal washeries and thermal power plants discharging there untreated solid and liquid wastes into river

26. The domestic sewage discharge was estimated as 1,528.1 million m 3 Generating BOD load of 2,504 million kg/day Agricultural drains waste to the tune of 134.84 million m 3 . The discharge from various industries into Ganga in early 1980’s has been estimated as BOD load of 1.166 million kg/day Nitrogen(N2 ) – 8,87,333 tonnes phosphate (PO4 ) – 1,37,445 tonnes Potassium (K ) – 91,247 tonnes Fertilizers used in agricultural activities were release annually: But now

27. The river supports copious biological growth in the form of phyto , zooplankton, phtyo , zoobenthos and other higher forms including fish . The fresh water fish population from Gangnani to Farakka is represented by 189 species under 80 genera and 278 families Osteichthys . The Hooghly- Maltah estuary is represented by 156 species and 67 families and 13 species and 6 families of common fin fishes ( chondrichthys ). 35 species from fresh water and 13 species from Hooghly estuary have commercial importance . Major and minor drag nets are most commonly used as commercial fishing gears. Others nets being used are castnets, scoopnets, traps, trawls and parse nets. Summary

28. Trout and Mahseer are the most important Devprayag and Mahseer between Devprayag and Haridwar . Exotic-species have started competing with carps especially in lower Ganga downstream of Allahabad. There is a remarkable reduction in the production capacity of fresh water fishes, attributed mainly due to anthropogenic activities viz. Flow interception due to large hydro-electric projects in upper Ganga Abstraction of large quantities of water for irrigation in the form of canals (Upper Madhya and Lower Ganga canals). Increase of pollution load from urban areas along the river (domestic, industrial, treated and untreated). Increase in the sediment load due to deforestation . Fishing in Ganga is not regulated. There is excessive netting in certain areas. Exploitation of fries and finger lings of major carps by indiscriminate netting is also rampant . Summary

29. References Ayyapan.S , 2011,Handbook of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Riverine fisheries, pp 169-207. Ray.P,1998 Ecological imbalance of the Ganga river system, Its impact on Aquaculture, Ecological imbalance of Ganga, pp. 51-50. Jhingran , V.G. (1991), Fish and Fisheries of India, Riverine fisheries of India, pp 68-165. http://www.cifri.ernet.in/p1.pdf(Das, M. K., Samanta , S. & Saha , P. K. 2007.  Riverine .  Health and Impact on Fisheries  in India. Policy Paper. No. 01,  Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute ) http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?277355 www.gits4u.com/water/ganga.htm http://iucncsg.org/ph1/modules/Publications/newsletter/csgnews231.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollution_of_the_Ganges www.terragalleria.com/photos/?keyword=ganga-river en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges www.prokerala.com › Maps › India Maps Index www.dayabooks.com/pages/8170351952.htm ( Ecological Imbalance of the  Ganga River  System ) http://www.ecofriends.org/main/eganga/images/Critical%20analysis%20of%20GAP.pdf http://www.slideshare.net/guest471c677/impact-of-climate-change-on-ganga-river-basin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollution_of_the_Ganges http://gangapedia.iitk.ac.in/?q=content/book-title-human-impact-ganga-river-ecosystem http:// www.who.int/entity/water_sanitation_health/resourcesquality/wpccasestudy1.pdf

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