Central University first records 2 Mahseer fish species from southern Odisha

In a proud moment, a team of researchers led by Professor Sharat Kumar Palita, Dean. School of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources (SBCNR), Central University of Odisha, Koraput, has for the first time recorded two Mahseer fish species from the Indravati River system of southern Odisha.

These two new Mahseer fish species belong to the Cyprinidae family, which are large-bodied and big-scaled carps, often called the ‘King of the Indian Aquatic system. They are included under 20 mega fish of the world.

Central University of Odisha informed that Mahseer fish species have earlier been reported from the Mahanadi,  Brahmani, and Similipal regions. However, they have not been reported earlier from any rivers in South Odisha. 

Also Read: What started from Odisha has spread to Haryana, Maharashtra: PM Narendra Modi in Bhubaneswar 

Major rivers of South Odisha, such as Kolab, Indravati, and Machhkund, are a part of the Godavari River system, being its major tributaries, whereas Nagabali and Vamshadhara arise in Odisha and join the Bay of Bengal in Andhra Pradesh.

In a release, the Central University of Odisha informed that these fishes were documented from Indravati Market at Khatiguda (Khatiguda Market) in Nabrangpur of Odisha. Later, these were documented from Indravati Reservoir at Mukhiguda in Kalahandi and Kapur Dam in Nabarangpur. 

Under close scrutiny by Prof. Palita in the laboratory of Central University of Odisha, these were identified as Mahseer fish and it was later confirmed by the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata as two species of Mahseer, Tor tor and Tor putitora. 

While Tor Mahseer Tor tor has earlier been recorded from Similipal, Mahanadi River System, and Brahmani River, the present discovery is a new record from Indravati River, an interstate river that flows through southern Odisha.

The earlier report of Tor putitora from Mahanadi River is no longer valid, as the species is now recognised as Tor mahanadicus, a new species. The present record of Tor putitora, therefore, is not only a new record from the Godavari basin of Odisha, but it is a new record for the entire Godavari River system of India. The findings have been published in the prestigious journal Asian Journal of Conservation Biology, the university stated in a release.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chakradhar Tripathi and The Vice-Chancellor I/c. Prof. N. C. Panda congratulated the team of researchers of the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources and highlighted the importance of this basic research under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and stressed for further research, which can help build livelihood security for the common man.