Golden Mahseer conservation: Over 1 lakh fish seeds released in Himachal rivers

The Fisheries Department in Himachal Pradesh has made a significant breakthrough in conserving the endangered Golden Mahseer, known as the “Tiger of Rivers”. Over one lakh fish seeds of this rare species, which was on the brink of extinction, have been successfully produced and released into various rivers in the state. Dr Pawan Sharma, Joint Director of Fisheries at Bilaspur, announced that the department had developed a dedicated hatchery for the Golden Mahseer in Joginder Nagar, Mandi district, which helped achieve this year’s milestone production.

Illegal and unscientific fishing practices had led the Golden Mahseer, a fish species prized for its health benefits, to near extinction in Himachal’s rivers. Dr Sharma highlighted that this hatchery is the only one in the government sector dedicated to Golden Mahseer conservation in India, with another hatchery operated by the TATA group in Lonavala, Maharashtra.

Traditionally, the Golden Mahseer breeds in the rivers and streams of Himachal Pradesh, but local activities have disrupted its natural breeding patterns. Ramesh Kumar, a fish enthusiast, noted that the migrant labour colonies along these rivers have impacted the aquatic ecology, with widespread fishing practices severely reducing the fish population.

Dr Sharma explained that under current conditions, the natural self-breeding of Golden Mahseer has almost stopped. Previously, the department could produce only around 10,000 fish seeds annually. However, this year, they were able to boost production to over one lakh seeds, a majority of which were released into the state’s major reservoirs, including Pong Dam, Kol Dam, Govind Sagar and the Beas.

To further protect the species, the department has installed CCTV cameras around hatchery sites to monitor and prevent illegal fishing. Dr Sharma emphasised the fish’s unique health benefits, as it helps improve eyesight, control cholesterol, reduce inflammation and is a rich source of iodine. With this year’s significant release, the department is optimistic about increased Mahseer production in the upcoming seasons, marking a hopeful step toward its conservation and restoration in Himachal’s rivers.