By Banlam Jingshai Marbaniang
Meghalaya is bestowed with abundant water resources encompassing lakes, rivers, creeks, and streams, boasts a diverse population of flora and fauna. The allure of these water bodies has transformed the region into a major tourist destination, drawing visitors to experience the enchanting waterfalls, meandering streams, serene lakes, and majestic rivers and the presence of local fauna, predominantly fishes, adds an extra layer of delight for the tourists to witness. As a matter of fact, the entire North-eastern region stands out as a biodiversity hotspot, harbouring a plethora of fish species, largely unexplored. Recent discoveries, such as the world’s largest cave fish locally known as dakha pnar krem or khasaw krem (Neolissochilus pnar), snakehead or locally called dohthli (Channa aristonei), and Meghalaya danio known as shalynnai/ byrthieh (Danio meghalayensis), underscore the rich and uncharted piscine diversity within the state. This has piqued the interest of aquarists, environmentalists, scientists, and researchers globally, prompting investments in studying Meghalaya’s biodiversity.
It is imperative for all concerned to prioritize the conservation of these invaluable resources to maintain a harmonious ecological balance. Addressing the balance of the aquatic ecosystem, each aquatic species, whether flora or fauna, plays a pivotal role in maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment. A symbiotic relationship prevails among aquatic flora, fishes, insects, and micro-organisms. The absence of one can impact the existence of the others. For instance, the mutualistic relationship between green algae and aquatic fungi forming lichen which plays a highly significant role in the environment demonstrates the delicate balance within ecosystems. The presence of grass carp in a pond ecosystem, controlling the overgrowth of aquatic weeds, prevents negative repercussions on other living organisms.
Despite the intricate interdependencies in aquatic ecosystems, various malpractices have inflicted harm on them. Activities such as poisoning water bodies, depleting sanctuaries, and polluting water sources have been rampant for decades. Notable incidents include the latest and infamous Williamnagar fish sanctuary poisoning and theft (December 2023), Khri river poisoning (May 2023), Umiam river poisoning (March 2023), and pollution of Umshyrpi and Umkhrah rivers due to waste discharge and industrial effluents, coal and limestone mines’ effluents and leachate polluting the Lukha river are a few incidents. Regrettably, even government departments have been implicated in contributing to ecosystem degradation. The discharge of bleached untreated water by the PHE Department, Mawphlang through the Greater-Shillong-Water-Supply-Scheme into the Wahlyngkien river over the years has led to the extirpation of local fish fauna and rendered the river water non-potable.
Considering these challenges, it is incumbent upon the public to recognize and sensibly address the situation by actively participating in the conservation and protection of natural water bodies. The looming threat of water body destruction necessitates a collective effort to safeguard the future for generations to come. Let us act responsibly and prevent the impending hazard from compromising the delicate balance of our ecosystem, ensuring a thriving environment for all life forms.
Therefore, conserving and protecting aquatic life is critical for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring the sustainability of water ecosystem. To achieve this feat, concrete measures must be implemented ensuring the proliferation of aquatic life and maintaining the true essence of the environment.
Here are some measures that can address this goal: Implementation of Strict Environmental Regulations: Enforcing and strengthening laws and regulations governing water quality and pollution control and imposition of penalties for illegal activities such as water poisoning, dumping of pollutants etc.
Habitat Protection and Restoration: Establishment of protected areas, sanctuaries, and reserves for aquatic habitats while stringently maintaining the same and undertaking habitat restoration projects to revive degraded ecosystems and improve breeding grounds for aquatic species.
Sustainable Fishing Practices: Implementation and enforcement of sustainable fishing practices, including size limits, seasonal bans, and gear restrictions and promotion of responsible aquaculture to reduce pressure on wild fish populations. For instance the Government of Arunachal Pradesh has identified different locations which are natural breeding grounds of local fishes and imposed hefty fines against individuals fishing in such locations.
Proper Waste Management: Enforcement of proper waste disposal practices to prevent industrial, agricultural, and urban runoff from contaminating water bodies and promote recycling and waste reduction initiatives to minimize the introduction of pollutants into aquatic environments.
Community Education and Involvement: Conducting educational programs to raise awareness about the importance of aquatic ecosystems; the need for conservation and encouraging local communities to actively participate in conservation efforts through community clean-up events and environmental awareness campaigns.
Monitoring and Research: Investments in regular monitoring programs to assess the health of aquatic ecosystems, identify potential threats and support scientific research to understand the specific needs and vulnerabilities of different aquatic species and their habitat.
Water Quality Management: Implementing measures to maintain and improve water quality, such as reducing nutrient runoff and controlling the discharge of harmful substances, promotion of sustainable land use practices to minimize the impact of agriculture and urban development on water quality.
Invasive Species Control: Implementing strategies to control and manage invasive species that disrupt native aquatic ecosystems; monitor, and regulate the introduction of non-native species to prevent unintended ecological consequences. For e.g., some years ago, local media reported the discovery of a unique fish in Tynghor Village, West Khasi Hills which was mistakenly believed to be a new species. The fish, identified as Hypostomus plecostomus or suckermouth catfish, was released back into the water. This tropical species from South America, popular in the aquarium industry, poses a threat due to its invasive nature and prolific breeding. Releasing even a pair into local water bodies can lead to adverse consequences, such as the decline or elimination of native species and the disturbance of the natural habitat, causing an imbalance in the ecosystem.To prevent the introduction of such unwanted species, implementing regulatory measures when importing seeds is crucial to ensure protection of local water bodies from potential nuisances.
Promoting Eco-friendly Infrastructure: Designing and implementation of infrastructure projects that consider the ecological impact on aquatic habitats, such as bridges and dams that facilitate fish migration. For e.g., while erecting dams, construction of fish ladder or fishways are of utmost importance to facilitate the effective movement of migratory fishes such as Garra (Doh sher/ kew), mahseer (khasaw) etc., which migrate especially for breeding purposes.
By combining these measures and fostering a holistic approach to aquatic conservation, stakeholders can work towards preserving the rich biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems and ensuring their sustained health for future generations.
The initiatives undertaken by the State’s Fisheries Department are appreciable. Their dedicated efforts resulted in identifying and proclaiming over 70 fish sanctuaries over the years.
However, while the declaration of sanctuaries is a relatively straightforward task, the most pivotal and challenging aspect is in consistently and effectively maintaining these sanctuaries. This entails a multifaceted approach that integrates scientific rigour, community involvement, and adaptive management strategies ranging from regular monitoring of water quality, habitat conditions, and fish populations to the enforcement of sustainable fishing practices and the prevention of illegal activities within these designated areas to ensure that these sanctuaries fulfil their intended purpose of safeguarding aquatic ecosystems and sustaining the diverse array of fish species within them.
Additionally, effective sanctuary management empowers communities to transform them into appealing tourist destinations, serving as a consistent source of revenue for the local community. Complexities arise from the dynamic nature of aquatic ecosystems, where external factors such as climate change, pollution, and habitat degradation pose continuous challenges. Therefore, the Fisheries Department, in collaboration with environmental agencies and local communities, must institute robust management plans. These plans should not only address immediate concerns but also incorporate adaptive strategies that respond to evolving environmental conditions and emerging threats as discussed above.