The Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) has launched a project to conserve the State’s threatened indigenous freshwater fish species. The initiative titled ‘Launching of Inland Fish Breeding and Conservation’ aims at protecting the State’s aquatic biodiversity through collaboration with the Forest department, researchers, local tribal and fisher community, and biodiversity management committees.
The project was launched by hosting a consultative workshop in connection with World Wetlands Day at the Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries of the University of Kerala at Karyavattom on Wednesday.
The project will focus on captive breeding, enhancing the populations of indigenous fish species, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. In the initial phase, the KSBB will concentrate on conserving 10 critically endangered inland native fish species—Hypselobarbus thomassi, Dawkinsia exclamatio, Horabagrus nigricollaris, Dawkinsia chalakkudiensis, Osteochilichthys longidorsalis, Clarias dussumieri, Eechathalakenda ophicephalus, Tariqilabeo periyarensis, Hypselobarbus periyarensis, and Dawkinsia denisonii.
Scientific support of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and the Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries will be available.
Income opportunities
The project will also promote community-based activities such as capacity-building workshops and collaborations with local stakeholders. The KSBB also aims at creating alternative income opportunities for local communities through diversified farming practices.
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G. Krishnan inaugurated the workshop in connection with the project launch. Kerala State Biodiversity Board chairman N. Anilkumar presided. Oommen V. Oommen, former chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board, delivered the keynote address. George Fröhof from the Museum of Natural History in Berlin, Germany, conducted a session on the challenges faced in conserving endangered fish species.