Indigenous Ornamental Fish Resources of Upper Brahmaputra Basin and Their Sustainable Utilization

The upper Brahmaputra basin, a part of the global hotspots of freshwater fish biodiversity abounds in highly potential indigenous ornamental fishes typical of riverine, wetland as well as hill stream habitats. As many as 70 species of ornamental fishes belonging to 19 families have been recorded so far from this region that sustained by mighty river Brahmaputra, its tributaries, distributaries, a large number of floodplain wetlands (locally known as beels) and hill streams. Species like Botia dario, Colisa fasciatus, Esomus danricus, Nandus nandus, Badis badis, Sisor rhabdophorus, Channa barca, Danio acquipinnatus, Chaca chaca, etc. resident to such ecosystems possess high potentialities to become a good competitor in the tropical ornamental fish industry. Especially the weed-infested beels of this region offers a variety of microhabitats for many colourful fish species and can be considered as goldmines for indigenous ornamental fishes. Despite of such a rich natural endowments and vast potentiality, the present status of ornamental fisheries in upper Brahmaputra basin is still considered to be poor. Lack of awareness and ignorance among rural masses, deficiency of infrastructure, Govt. apathy and inefficient policies are the main underlying factors lagging behind the region in this highly promising sector. Moreover, wanton destruction of habitats, indiscriminate fishing through micro nets, poisoning, dynamiting electric fishing, etc. contribute substantially for a faster depletion of their natural stock and requires immediate and effective conservation steps. The present communication highlights on prospects of developing ornamental fisheries in this part of the globe in a sustainable way for the economic upliftment of the region.