RIVERINE HEALTH AND IMPACT ON FISHERIES IN INDIA

Abstract

There are 14 major rivers in India (Ganga, Brahmaputra, Brahmani, Cauvery, Goda 'ari, Indus, Krishna, Mahanadi, Mahi, Narmada, Periyar, Sabarmati, Subar iarekha, Tapti) covering 83% of the drainage basin and account for 85% of the surface flow. Brahmaputra, Ganga, Indus and Godavari basin cover more lhen 50% of the country's surface flow. Apart from this there are 44 mediu 11 and 55 minor rivers which mostly originate from the coastal mountains. Only out of 14 major rivers are perennial. These are Brahmaputra, Ganga, Maha adi and Brahmani. The Cauvery, Mahi, Sabarmati and Periyar passes through low rainfall areas. The major rivers with a catchment area of more than 1 M.ha each are the Indus (32.1 M.ha), Godavari (31.3 M.ha), Krishna (25.9 .ha) and the Mahanadi (14.2 M.ha). The total catchment area of medium rivers s about 25 M.ha and Subarnarekha with a 1.9 M.ha catchment area, is the Iargest river amongst the medium rivers in the country.( IINC,2004)