Tor Mahseer in Indian waters with special reference to conservation strategies for Tor tor in Madhya Pradesh (India)

Abstract

Madhya Pradesh, centrally located state in India, is famous for rich diversity of fishes. Variousrivers flow in state but river Narmada originating from Amarkantak Hill (Madhya Pradesh) is referredas “Life line of Madhya Pradesh”. This river is the natural abode of wide variety of fish diversity. Tor tor (the deep-bodied mahseer), locally known as “Badas” is one of the largest freshwater cyprinidand a native of river Narmada. This fish is famous for its fighting character during angling and becauseof its exclusive good taste, it is ranked on the top of all commercial catches of river Narmada. T. tor is a potential candidate for the development of open water fishery as well as aquaculture. Recently,due to wide-spread anthropogenic activities, the natural population of T. tor is getting depletedrapidly in river Narmada and has been declared as Near-Threatened (IUCN, 2015). Hence, there is anurgent need for further research and species diversity study for conservation of mahseer. This studyreviews information on mahseer species with special emphasis on T. tor of river Narmada. Disciplinesthat are covered in this study ranges from the taxonomy and systematic to its biological, reproductiveand conservation aspects. More studies are suggested on different aspects of domestication,propagation using hypophysation technique and rearing on formulated diet for conservation of thisprized fish.