Ecological

Communication

Biosci. Biotech. Res. Comm. 9(4): 872-877 (2016)

On the  sh diversity, conservational management and

rehabilitation aspects of Wular Lake, Kashmir India

Rumysa K.

, Sharique A. Ali

, Bilal A.

, Tariq Z.

and Farooq M.

Goverment Degree College for Boys Sopore, Kashmir.

Department of Biotechnology Sai a Science College, Bhopal.

Division of Veterinary Microbiology Shuhama Alustang, SKUAST-K.

Bhoj (Open) University, Bhopal.

Department of Zoology and Head Hydrobiology Research Laboratory, Government Sri Pratap College,

Srinagar, Kashmir, India

ABSTRACT

Biodiversity and conservation are regarded as one of the major issues of enabling sustainable use of natural resources.

This contribution focuses on  sh population and their conservation aspects in the freshwater Wular Lake in Kashmir.

It was a valuable  shery resource of the region but due to anthropogenic pressures such as encroachment over open

water area and entry of sewage and disturbance in the catchment area have affected water quality and consequently

its  shery potential adversely. The  sh fauna of Kashmir is appreciably different from rest of the country and is

mainly represented by the cold water Schizothoracine group of  shes. It is observed that some of the Schizothorax

species have almost disappeared from the scenario. The study revealed the occurrence of sixteen  sh species belong-

ing to three orders namely Cypriniformes (81%), Siluriformes (12.5%) and Cyprinodontiformes (6.25%) and 5 families

includes Cyprinidae (62.5%), Balitoridae (12.5%), Sisoridae (12.5%), Cobitidae (6.25%) and Poeciliidae (6.2%).

KEY WORDS: DIVERSITY, ECOSYSTEM, EXOTIC, INDIGENOUS, KASHMIR AND WULAR

872

ARTICLE INFORMATION:

*Corresponding Author: rumysaaqua@gmail.com

Received 21

Nov, 2016

Accepted after revision 24

Dec, 2016

BBRC Print ISSN: 0974-6455

Online ISSN: 2321-4007

Thomson Reuters ISI ESC and Crossref Indexed Journal

NAAS Journal Score 2015: 3.48 Cosmos IF : 4.006

reserved.

Online Contents Available at: http//www.bbrc.in/

INTRODUCTION

Freshwater  sh are one of the most threatened taxo-

nomic groups (Darwall and Vie, 2005) because of their

high sensitivity to the quantitative and qualitative alter-

ation of aquatic habits (Laffaille et al., 2005; Sarkar

et al., 2008; Kang et al., 2009). Fish is sensitive to

changes in water chemistry due to different anthropo-

genic activities from their catchment. Fish responses to

environmental disturbances, including hydro-morpho-

logical factors are different in time and space in compar-

ison to simpler organisms, as they tend to be integrated

Rumysa et al.

over larger intervals. Fish have been identi ed as suit-

able for biological assessment due to its easy identi ca-

tion and economic value (Silas 1951; Smith et al., 1999,

Siligato and Bohmer 2001, and Vibhute 2016).

Fish have been regarded as an effective biological indi-

cator of environmental quality and anthropogenic stress in

aquatic ecosystems (Simon and Lyons, 1995; Bhat, 2003;

Jayalekshmy and Sanalkumar, 2012) not only because of

their iconic value, but also because of sensitivity to sub-

tle environmental changes. They represent a wide range

of tolerance at community level. Today the  sh diversity

and associated habitats management is a great challenge

(Dudgeon et al., 2006). Conservation measures to mitigate

the impact of the pressures have largely been slow and

inadequate and as a result many of the species are declin-

ing rapidly (Venkateshwarlu 2014).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Wular Lake, a rural lake in the north-west of Kashmir

about 55 km from Srinagar city, is lying in the  ood

plains of River Jhelum. Its recognition of its biological,

hydrological and socio-economic values, the lake was

included in 1986 as a wetland on national importance

under the wetlands programme of the Ministry of Envi-

ronment and Forests, Government of India for intensive

conservation management purposes. Subsequently in

1990, it was designated as a wetland of International

importance under the Ramsar convention.

The average maximum depth of the lake is reported

5.8m (Pandit, 2002). The lake is situated at an altitude

of 1,580 m (AMSL) lying between 34°16´- 34°20´N lati-

tudes and 74°33´-74°44´E longitudes. The lake is becom-

ing steadily shallower as a result of continuous depo-

sition of silt brought from its catchment area through

its main tributaries (Erin, Madhumati, Ashtung, Hartal,

etc.), and the River Jhelum. River Jhelum is the main

feeding channel entering the lake basin at Gurur, it is

further drained at Ningli (Sopore) in the north-east by

the only single outlet in the form of River Jhelum. The

lake is situated between Bandipore and Sopore. Ban-

dipore is situated in its eastern bank and is popularly

known as port of Wular, the Madhimati and Erin Nallas

 ow into the lake on its eastern side

For studying the  sh biodiversity, various data and

information where collected by physical veri cation

and interview with the local  sherman of the study

area. The sampling was carried out on monthly basis,

10 attempts were made by  sherman/day. The collected

samples where immediately dipped into 10% formalin in

a large container that allowed proper separating of their

 ns. Then the specimens were examined and classi ed

into families, which were carried in separate container

each container was labeled properly against the physi-

cal data sheet of sampling and brought to the labora-

tory for further examine exercise. Identi cation of  shes

was done with the help of standard taxonomic works

of Day (1878), Hora (1936), Mukerji (1936), Talwar and

Jhingran (1991), Kullander et al., (1999). In the present

study, diversity has been measured by number of species

and by using indicies. They are given below:

1. Simpson’s diversity index (D)

Diversity within the benthic macro invertebrate commu-

nity was described using the Simpson’s diversity index

(“D”), which was calculated as:

Where, “pi” is the proportion of individuals in the “ith”

taxon of the community and “s” is the total number of

taxa in the community (Simpson, 1949).

2. Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H

)

Species diversity was determined after Shannon-Weiner

(1949) as:

Where: H

= Index of species diversity

= Density of one species

N = Density of all the species

e = Base of natural logarithm of = 2.303

S = Addition of the expression for values of i from i

= 1 to i

3. Evenness Index

Evenness Index an important component of the diversity

indices. Evenness index expresses how evenly the indi-

viduals are distributed among the different species for a

particular area.

4. Margalef Index

It isa measure ofspecies diversity, calculatedfrom the

total number of species present and the abundance or

total number of individuals. The higher the index the

greater the diversity.

Margalef’s richness index:(S-1)/ln (n), whereSis the

number of taxa, andnis the number of individuals.

5. Berger-Parker diversity index

It is simple measure of the numerical importance of the

most abundant species. Berger-Parker diversity indices

were determined by PAST software.

BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS FISH DIVERSITY OF WULAR LAKE KASHMIR INDIA 873

Rumysa et al.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Present study standardizes the  shing status along the

different sites of Wular Lake, which yielded sixteen  sh

species viz, Cyprinus carpio specularis, Cyprinus carpio

communis, Carassius carassius, Schizothorax niger, Schi-

zothorax esocinus, Schizothorax curvifrons, Schizotho-

rax labiatus, Schizothorax plagiostomus, Crossocheilus

diplochilus, Puntius conchonius, Botia birdi, Triplophysa

kashmirensis, Triplophysa marmorata, Gambusia af nis,

Glyptothorax kashmirensis, Glyptothorax pectinoptrus

belonging to three orders namely Cypriniformes (81%),

Siluriformes (12.5%) and Cyprinodontiformes (6.25%)

and 5 families includes Cyprinidae (62.5%), Balitoridae

(12.5%), Sisoridae (12.5%), Cobitidae (6.25%) and Poe-

ciliidae (6.2%).

Out of sixteen species of  shes Cyprinus carpio com-

minus was dominant. Cyprinus carpio comminus seems

to be well established and may pose a threat to the

endemic lake dwelling species in competing for space

and food. Das (1978) and Mir and Shahnawaz (2006)

reported introduction of exotic  shes like common carp

decline the catch as well as the diversity of indigenous

 shes of Kashmir lakes. Khan et al., (2016) also reported

that introduction of exotic  sh species in freshwater

ecosystems of Punjab and Pakistan is in great risk of

decline due to their vigorous reproductive potential and

feeding competitions with the native  sh fauna.

The introduction of exotic species is the sec-

ond leading cause, after habitat degradation, of species

extinction in freshwater systems (Hill et al., 1997). A

survey of 31 studies of  sh introductions in Europe,

North America, Australia, and New Zealand found that

in 77% of cases native  sh populations were reduced

or eliminated following the introduction of exotic  sh.

Fotedar and Qadri (1974) considered Cyprinus carpio to

present serious competition to local origins like Schizo-

thorax niger, Schizothorax esocinus, Schizothorax curvi-

frons, Sxhizothorax labiatus andCrosschelius diplochilus,

whose number would be dwindling for this reason. The

species which were rare are Schizothorax plagiostomus,

Puntius conchonius, Botia birdi, Triplophysa kashmi-

rensis, Triplophysa marmorata, Gambusia af nis, Glyp-

tothorax kashmirensis and Glyptothorax pectinoptrus.

The population of Schizothracine  shes in Wular Lake

has considerably decreased over the years particularly

after the introduction of common carp in 1956 (Fotedar

and Qadri 1974; Vass et al., 1984). The  sh species like

Schizothorax richardsonii and Bangana diplostoma once

abundant and even caught in commercial quantities,

which has now disappeared. Similarly, the indigenous

 shes of Lake Sone of Assam are being fast replaced

Table 1: Fish diversity in Wular Lake of Kashmir

Scienti c name of  sh Local name Occurance

Cyprinus carpio specularis Gang gad Abundant

Cyprinus carpio communis Gang gad Less Abundant

Carassius carassius Gung gad Abundant

Schizothorax niger Ale gad Less Abundant

Schizothorax esocinus Churun Moderately Abundant

Schizothorax curvifrons Satter gad Less Abundant

Schizothorax labiatus Chush Moderately Abundant

Schizothorax plagiostomus Khont Moderately Abundant

Crossochelius diplochilus Zub Less Abundant

Puntius conchonius Gang gad Moderately Abundant

Botia birdi Rama gurun Very Rare

Triplophysa kashmirensis Ara gurun Very Rare

Triplophysa marmorata Ara gurun Very Rare

Gambusia af nis Mahi gad Less Abundant

Glyptothorax kashmirensis Nayid gad Rare

Glyptothorax pectinoptrus Nayid gad Rare

874 FISH DIVERSITY OF WULAR LAKE KASHMIR INDIA BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

Rumysa et al.

by the introduction of exotic carp, Cyprinus carpio (Kar

et al., 2006).

The Cyprinus carpio has not only  ourished well in

the aquatic habitats of the Wular Lake but also provides

the maximum  sh catch.Another factor responsible for

decline in indigenous  shes is the encroachment of the

shallow areas of the lake for agricultural activities which

became the most dangerous practice which causes harm

to some species of indigenous  shes, used to breed in

shallow areas of the lake. Use of arti cial fertilizers,

pesticides and herbicides in apple orchards and paddy

 elds from nearby areas have also effected the indig-

enous  shes due to increase of nutrients in water which

in turn increases growth of algal blooms and other mac-

rophytes in the lake. The excess nutrients may originate

from fertilizers that are applied to land for agricultural

or recreational purposes. These nutrients can then enter

watersheds through water runoff (Lathrop et al. 1998).

When phosphates are introduced into water systems,

higher concentrations cause increased growth of algae

and plants. Algae tend to grow very quickly under high

nutrient availability, but each algae is short-lived, and

the result is a high concentration of dead organic matter

that starts to decay. The decay process consumes dissolved

oxygen in the water, resulting in low oxygen conditions.

Without suf cient dissolved oxygen in the water, animals,

and plants die off in large numbers. Over the past decades,

excessive nutrient loading has emerged as an important

direct driver of freshwater ecosystem change. World con-

sumption of nitrogenous fertilizers grew nearly eightfold

between 1960 and 2003, from 10.8 million tons to 85.1

million tons (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005).

Leveque (2008) also reported overexploitation,  ow

modi cation, destruction of habitats, and invasion by

exotic species, pollution and eutrophication as major

threats to  sh biodiversity. Wular lake waters have achieved

a high trophic status on account of nutrient enrichment

from its catchment .Wular Lake is under eutrophic state as

a result of human stress in the catchment area.

Shannon-Weaver index functions as a sensitive indi-

cator for pollution. It is a combination of the number of

species and the evenness of distribution of individuals

among taxa (Klemm et al., 1990). Shannon index was

very low indicating that  sh diversity in Wular Lake is

very poor due to pollution and other unfavorable envi-

ronmental conditions. Simpson index and Evenness indi-

cate that  sh diversity of Wular is degrading day by day;

same is true for Margalef index and Berger-Parker index.

CONSERVATIONAL MANAGEMENT AND

REHABILITATION SUGGESTIONS

Freshwater biodiversity and freshwater ecosystems are

seriously jeopardized by human activities in world. This

is undoubtedly a consequence of growing human pop-

ulations and economic development above everything

else (Wu et al., 1999). Human activity can alter physical,

chemical and biological processes and, thereby change

the character of the lakes. The ecology and biodiversity

of Wular Lake is under the impact of: (i) direct discharge

of untreated sewage coming from highly populated vil-

lages and agriculture activities (ii) catchment runoff (iii)

tourist pressure (iv) sand mining; channelization and

impoundment; (v) illegal  shing. Combinations of these

threat factors affect the biodiversity and puts freshwater

biodiversity uniquely at risk as also stated by Hynes,

(1960) in his study.

SUGGESTIONS

• Master plan should be developed for the treatment

of all point source of pollution entering into the

Wular Lake, especially for the sewage coming from

the residential area of the Wular Lake which other-

wise will affect the water quality and will deterio-

rate over all ecosystem health.

• Watershed management plan should be imple-

mented along the catchment area of Wular Lake

and construction and human habitation should be

prohibited

• Deforestation and overgrazing should be properly

controlled in order to prevent soil erosion and loss

of biodiversity.

• Indiscriminate mining of sand should be restricted

or minimized as this practice destroys the breeding

grounds and dwelling place of Lake Fauna.

• Sustainable  sheries development to maintain/

restore  sh diversity and yield.

• Control of invasive species and enhancing biodi-

versity.

• In order to protect the lake from silt problem

brought in through main feeding channel-river

Jhelum and other small streams like Madumati,

Erin and Ningli settling basins need to construct

near their points into the lake.

• Large areas of the lake have been illegally

encroached and converted into paddy  elds and

vegetables gardens. The further encroachment in

the lake must be stopped.

• Continuous deposition and pouring of domestic

wastes, garbage and dead animals into the River

Jhelum which ends at Wular be stopped under

strict orders.

• We have done enough harm to our natural resources.

In such situation eco-restoration is the way by which

we can ameliorate the situation. There is need to cre-

ate small decentralized decision making groups like

Lake study groups, cooperative societies.

BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS FISH DIVERSITY OF WULAR LAKE KASHMIR INDIA 875

Rumysa et al.

• Carry out environmental impact assessment peri-

odically to ensure lake conservation and sustain-

able use of lake resources.

• Since the Lake is owned by various state gov-

ernment departments such as wildlife,  shery,

urban environment engineering department, lakes

and waterways development authority etc., there

should be common consensus amongst these

departments so that if the project is to be under-

taken in the lake it should be with the consent of

all the departments involved and not to disturb the

ecology of lake.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors are thankful to Maulana Azad National

Fellowship of University Grants Commission, Bahadur

Shah Zafar Marg New Delhi – 110002, for the  nancial

assistance. The authors gratefully acknowledge the help

and assistance provided by the Hydrobiology Research

Laboratory, Govt. Sri Pratap College, Srinagar, Kashmir.

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