Long-term changes in freshwater fish species composition in North Western Ghats, Pune District

Abstract

Changes in species diversity of riverine fish fauna in North Western Ghats were deduced from five faunal checklists spread over the last six decades. Though the fish species diversity of Mula-Mutha rivers appears to be constant, loss of endemic and native species and their replacement with introduced species are worrisome. Besides heavy harvest, anthropogenic activities like dam construction, habitat destruction, biological and chemical pollution in the Mula-Mutha rivers are assumed to be responsible for the loss of over 30 native fish species during the last 60 years. Practicable conservation measures include pollution management, controlled harvesting of fish and artificial breeding of native fish species.