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Ichthyofaunal Diversity of Kulsi River: Prime habitat of Dolphin
Authors: Chandasudha Goswami* and Sayad Ali**
Number of views: 594
ABSTRACT: North East India is very rich in faunal and floral diversity. It is the conjunction of Himalaya
and In-Burma biodiversity hotspots. Kulsi, a river of Kamrup District originated from Meghalaya and fall
into the River Brahmaputra. In Kulsi river, a good numbers of piscivorous Dolphin (Platanista gangetica
gangetica) is present which is schedule-I species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 once wide spread
throughout the Kulsi as well as Brahmaputra River. Few studies have investigated that 29 Dolphin were
present in Kulsi River in February, 2009 (Wakid). This paper highlights the list of fish species available
inclusive of the causes which could be held accountable for growing decline of diversity. The study was
carried out from March 2010 to April 2011. 63 species of fish belonging to 8 orders and 21 families were
recorded. Out of these 6 are exotic and the rest are indigenous having ornamental as well as economic values.
Cyprinids (family: Cyprinidae), Live fish (family: Anabantidae, Clariidae, Channidae, Heteropneustidae),
Cat fish (family: Bagridae, Silurdae, Schilbeidae), Clupeids (family: Clupeidae), featherbacks (family:
Notopteridae), Loaches (family: Cobitidae), Eels (family: Mastacembelidae), Glass fishes (family: Chandidae)
and Gobies (family: Gobiidae) are the major groups of fishes which spotted in the river. Cyprinidae is the
most dominant family throughout the river. In some places around Kulsi river people are highly dependent
on fishing. Day by day the availability of fish is slowly declining due to anthropogenic stress. People use
different types of gears for fishing which are the major threats for the fish population. Awareness among the
people and the fisher is inevitable. At the breeding time fishing should be banned in Kulsi River to immediate
take of action.