State Fish Of Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is famous for its beautiful nature & spiritual places. Badrinath, Kedarnath & Haridwar are popular locations to explore.

But, did you know “Which is the State Fish Of Uttarakhand”?

If NO, Let’s find it.

Which Is The State Fish Of Uttarakhand?

The state fish of Uttarakhand name is the Golden Mahseer. It was declared by the Government Of Uttrakhand in 2017.

The Golden Mahseer is a big freshwater fish from the Himalayan region.

However, the Golden Mahseer is in danger because there are so many constructions in the Himalayan region, and local people fish them & too much pollution.

The Golden Mahseer can grow up to 2 meters long and the weight is over 50 kg.

Golden Mahseer: Size, Diet & Body Shape

The Golden Mahseer has shiny golden scales. They are big. Let’s know about the size, appearance, diet, body shape, etc.

• Size: Golden Mahseer length can be up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) and weight can be more than 50 kg. However, due to overfishing, their existence getting lower.

• Appearance: The fish’s body is golden-yellow & shiny. Its scales sparkle in the sun, making it look majestic as it gets older.

• Body Shape: It has a long, sleek body that works well in fast-moving rivers.

• Diet: Golden Mahseer mainly eats a mix of things like bugs, small fish & plants. What they eat can change based on what’s around them to eat.

• Conservation Status: Golden Mahseer fish in South Asia are in danger because local people are catching too many, destroying their homes, polluting their water & building dams. They are at risk of disappearing forever, so we need to work hard to save them and their homes.

Just Ask A Simple Question With Yourself!

Should You Eat Fish Only For Your Taste OR You’re Ready To Kill A Life Just For Your Taste?

If NOT, you should raise your voice & protect every living being.

Threats to the Himalayan Golden Mahseer

The Himalayan Golden Mahseer faces threats from overfishing, pollution dam construction, water pollution, etc.

• Dam Construction: Building dams & hydroelectric projects on Himalayan rivers changes the way rivers flow & affect where fish live and migrate, which can separate groups of fish from each other.

• Deforestation & Land Use Change: Cutting trees, farming, building cities & constructing roads can harm the places where Mahseer fish live which can hurt their homes & make their water dirty with mud & dirt.

• Unsustainable Fishing: Local people & government do fishing too much, especially by using harmful methods like explosives, poison & electricity which are causing Mahseer fish numbers to go down.

• Poaching: Fishing for Mahseer fish in certain areas is a big problem because people do it illegally to make money. This is putting the species in danger, especially in places where it’s hard to stop illegal fishing.

• Water Pollution: Pollution from factories, farms, sewage & trash can make the water dirty & harmful for Mahseer fish. This can make it hard for them to live & have babies for their population growth.

Initiatives by the government and NGOs For Golden Mahseer

In India, there are many programs to protect the Golden Mahseer fish because it is important for the environment & cultural heritage like the National Mission for Clean Ganga, the National River Conservation Directorate, etc.

Government Initiatives

• National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): The NMCG, a part of the Indian government’s Ministry of Jal Shakti, wants to make the Ganga River clean again. So, they are working on projects to help the river, stop pollution & bring back lost habitats, which will help the Golden Mahseer fish.

• National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD): NRCD, which is part of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, works on projects to protect rivers in India. They work on fixing habitats & controlling pollution in the water to help different kinds of aquatic life, like the Golden Mahseer fish.

• State Fisheries Departments: State governments in India have plans & projects by their Fisheries Departments to protect & manage fish species like the Golden Mahseer. These efforts include restoring habitats, releasing more fish into rivers & controlling fishing activities.

NGO Initiatives

• Mahseer Trust: Mahseer Trust is a group that works with different people & organizations to protect Mahseer fish all over the world. They study the fish, teach others about them & do projects to keep them safe, like in India where they help the Golden Mahseer.

• WWF-India: The WWF-India, with help from its partners, works on projects to protect fish & other animals that live in rivers or lakes in India. They also work to restore their habitats and involve local communities to improve their skills & knowledge about conservation.

• Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE): ICFRE is a group that studies & protects freshwater animals & plants in India. They are part of the government & do research to help species like the Golden Mahseer to survive & increase their population

• Local Community Initiatives: Many groups in the community are working together to protect rivers & fish like the Golden Mahseer. They get help from charities & the government. They focus on helping people make a living in a way that doesn’t harm the environment, managing fisheries with the community’s help & spreading awareness about these serious issues.

Read More:

State Fish of Sikkim

Telangana State Fish

State Fish of Kerala

Smallest Fish In The World

Why Vanjaram Fish Is Costly?

Mangur Fish Ban in India

Sources:

http://urbanrivers.niua.org/node/47

https://dof.gov.in/

Conclusion

In summary, the Golden Mahseer is an important symbol of the biodiversity & conservation efforts in Uttarakhand. Being the state fish shows how important it is to protect the rivers and ecosystems it lives in.

By raising awareness and practicing sustainability, the Golden Mahseer can survive & help preserve Uttarakhand’s natural beauty for many years. For more blogs on fish, visit animalquick.