The district administration and forest officials in Udaipur have joined forces to conserve the pristine ecosystem of Badi Lake, safeguarding its unique population of Mahaseer fish, akin to those found in the Ganges.
Mahaseer is found in plenty in Badi Lake although they do not breed here. Interestingly, the female Mahaseer is known to swim against the flow for several kilometers upper reaches of small streams to spawn and its eggs hatch naturally while floating. The Mahseer, often hailed as the ‘tiger of the waters,’ provides unparalleled recreation for anglers worldwide due to its legendary fighting prowess, making it one of the most challenging fish to catch. Anglers frequently journey to rivers in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh to engage in sport fishing, releasing the Mahseer after capturing and weighing it.
Commercially, Mahaseer holds significant value for its high-quality meat. It commands top market prices in northern and northeastern India, primarily due to its large size and esteemed status as a food fish.
Despite its cultural and economic importance, Mahseer faces an alarming threat to its existence. Over recent years, its population has dwindled by more than 50%, with projections suggesting an 80% decline in the near future. Poaching, unregulated angling, water pollution, and infrastructure projects like dam construction are major contributors to this decline. The monitoring committee meeting for the Badi Lake Mahaseer Conservation Reserve was held on Friday. District Collector Arvind Poswal highlighted the global uniqueness of the Mahaseer fish found in Badi Lake. The reserve is the world’s second dedicated to Mahaseer and India’s sole protected area for this species.
Previously, Pakistan declared the Poonch River National Mahaseer Park. Poswal affirmed that conserving this Mahaseer fish is our responsibility, and we are committed to fulfilling it diligently. The officer addressed the Mahaseer Conservation Reserve Monitoring Committee meeting at Aranya Bhavan. He mentioned the Rajasthan High Court’s directives to designate areas around Badi Lake as Mahaseer conservation reserves. This initiative aims to protect the species, which is a matter of pride for not only the district but the entire state. He instructed all relevant departments to strictly comply with the court’s orders.
During the meeting, Chief Forest Conservator S.R. Venkateshwar Murthy assured strict adherence to the directives of the High Court, underscoring the development of a comprehensive action plan for the conservation of Mahaseer. Detailed deliberations encompassed crucial topics such as upstream migration patterns, food chain dynamics, reproductive strategies, lake pollution mitigation, and habitat preservation.
Retired CCF Rahul Bhatnagar emphasized the significance of a fishing ban as imperative for the preservation of Mahaseer, citing previous DNA tests that confirmed the genetic purity of the species in Badi Lake, comparable to those found in the Ganges. Assistant Forest Conservator (Wildlife) Ajay Chittauda provided insights into ongoing initiatives aimed at Mahaseer conservation, including the strategic relocation of specially bred Mahaseer to other lakes within the district to enhance breeding efforts.
Environmentalists and lake conservationists, including Dr. Tej Rajdan, Anil Mehta, Shailendra Tiwari, fishery specialist Ismail Ali Durga, Dr. Atul Jain, and Badi Sarpanch Madan Pandit, contributed valuable suggestions during the meeting focused on Mahaseer conservation strategies and reproductive measures.
It was revealed that the Rajasthan government had officially designated a 206.350-hectare area surrounding Badi Lake as a Mahaseer Conservation Reserve on October 7, 2023, in alignment with the Rajasthan High Court’s 2017 directives aimed at safeguarding the species. Mahaseer serves as an indicator of water body purity and is exclusive to unpolluted and pristine aquatic environments. Its presence serves as a barometer of the lake ecosystem’s health. Experts have classified five species of Mahaseer in the IUCN Red Data Book due to its endangered status.
In Udaipur district, Mahaseer fish are predominantly found in Badi Lake, which historically inhabited numerous lakes across the region before facing habitat fragmentation and degradation.
Why preserving Mahaseer is important?
The survival of the magnificent Mahseer, recognized as one of the world’s 20 mega fishes, is crucial for the preservation of our ecosystem. This iconic fish species serves as a barometer of the health of India’s major rivers, including the revered Ganges. As initiatives like the ‘Save Ganga Movement’ gain momentum in recent years, there is optimism that the Mahseer will benefit from these high-profile conservation efforts.
Clean and unpolluted river systems are essential for the success of the ‘Act for Mahseer’ initiative, as pollution remains a significant threat contributing to the decline in Mahseer populations. Tata Power has undertaken a dedicated conservation program for the Mahseer, emphasizing the importance of preserving this species. Efforts are underway to engage local communities by highlighting the potential economic benefits of sustainable tourism linked to Mahseer conservation. There is a concerted effort to raise awareness and rally support for the ‘Act for Mahseer’ campaign, uniting stakeholders towards the common goal of ensuring the Mahseer’s survival. The Mahseer is renowned for its resilience, demonstrating a remarkable ability to navigate upstream in fast-flowing waters against the current. Ironically, it now faces an uphill battle against extinction, necessitating urgent action and collaborative efforts to secure its future in India’s rivers.