ICHTHYOFAUNA OF MAKLANG RIVER, CHINDWIN RIVER BASIN OF MANIPUR

Abstract

Manipur, the north eastern state of India is one of the important Freshwater Biodiversity Hotspot. The region being drained by the Brahamaputra and the Chindwin drainages harbours potentially important freshwater sh resources. Abell et al (2008) stated that the north east region has a species richness consisting of around 500 sh species. The Maklang River, one of the major rivers, draining the Kamjong District of Manipur originates from the Kangkhui hills, enters Myanmar to meet the Yu River and nally drains into the Chindwin. A comprehensive study of the Maklang River reveals rich ichthyofaunal diversity. The study includes 106 species belonging to 69 genera and 26 families. The ichthyofaunal component comprises of a mixture of endemic hill stream, Burmese (or Myanmarese), Indochinese and widely distributed forms. Diversity with reference to special hill stream modications viz., thoracic adhesive apparatus, labial folds, mental disc, proboscis in Glyptothorax, Garra, Crossocheilus, Psilorhynchus, Schistura and Pseudecheneis have been examined. The Maklang River is under anthropogenic pressure leading to habitat modication, degradation, pollution, ow modication which poses as threats to sh species. As such, the study assumes signicant role not only from academic documentary point of view but also to initiate more detailed exploration and conservation strategy for the use of ichthyofaunal resources more sustainably.