TURA: A fresh water fish believed to be extinct from the rivers of Garo Hills was caught off River Simsang at Rombaggre around 30 kilometers from Tura. The fish locally known as wakmate which had vanished from the rivers of Garo Hills decades back was believed to have become extinct by locals and anglers.
Villagers who caught a couple of the ‘extinct’ fish were surprised and could not believe their catch. Later village elders confirmed that the fish had vanished from the rivers and were presumed extinct.
The longest river in Garo Hills, the River Simsang and its tributaries in Garo Hills were once haunts of avid anglers as they teem with fresh water fish. However, unchecked jhum cultivation and deforestation coupled with indiscriminate poaching with pesticides and other harmful chemicals have played havoc with the delicate marine ecosystem, decimating its flora and fauna.
Concerned NGOs and citizens have taken up various conservation initiatives in and around the water bodies of Garo Hills but long term measures need to be put in place to ensure the protection of these natural habitats.