AFZAL HUSSAIN FAUJI / Nainital
With concerns being raised over the presence of fish-eating fishes-the predatory fishes which feed on smaller ones- in the iconic Naini Lake, the administration, supported by a team of experts, is now preparing to remove these fishes from the lake to protect its ecology and biodiversity. As per reports, invasive species like Magur and Bighead Catfish have been found in the lake and plans have been drawn up to remove them at the earliest. Experts believe that if these fishes are not removed in time, the lake’s natural balance could be negatively affected.
In fact, Catfish is considered a highly aggressive and carnivorous species. It can rapidly eliminate small fishes and other aquatic life in the lake. Additionally, fish such as the Bighead Catfish or Bighead Carp consume large quantities of plankton. Plankton are a vital part of the lake’s ecosystem, and many small aquatic animals and fish depend on them.
The experts are firmly of the view that the presence of these fishes could pose a serious threat to the lake’s biodiversity. “This is why the administration and scientists periodically monitor the lake and work to remove harmful species. This year, the process is underway to remove fishes such as the Mangur and Bighead Catfish from the lake,” said the professor in the Department of Fisheries at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Ashutosh Mishra. “The ecosystem of Naini Lake is quite balanced and rich. Fish are thriving here and the lake’s biodiversity is also in good shape,” he assured and then added that bio-replacement is periodically carried out to protect the lake. “This involves removing those fishes which could be harmful to the local ecosystem. These include species such as the Common Carp, Bighead Carp and the exotic Mangur,” he said.
According to Mishra, people sometimes release fishes into the lake due to religious beliefs. “In Nainital, people release mongoose fish for religious reasons. Although their numbers are currently low, this species is highly aggressive and can harm other fishes. Therefore, it is essential to remove them promptly,” he noted.
Explaining the process, he said his team has begun removing these fishes from the lake. “With this objective in view, different types of nets are being placed in the lake. Special nets such as gill nets, cross nets and fry nets are used to catch these fishes. These nets help identify and remove invasive fish species from the lake,” he said.
Explaining further, he said that Thai Mangur fish is considered extremely dangerous because it is carnivorous and readily consumes any small fish it encounters. “This poses a significant threat to the lake’s native species. If its numbers increase, the lake’s native fish populations could rapidly decline. So action is crucial to maintaining the lake’s ecological balance. The lake will continue to be monitored regularly in future to ensure that any invasive species do not harm the lake’s environment,” he stated.
