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Scope of the Tea Industry in Assam for


sustainable Management of Endemic Coldwater
Fishes of North east India
CONFERENCE PAPER NOVEMBER 2015

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1 AUTHOR:
Prashanta Bordoloi
Kaziranga University
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Coldwater Endemic Fishes of North Eastern Himalaya: Avenues and Challenges 5 -6


November, Gangtok

Scope of the Tea Industry in Assam for sustainable Management of Endemic Coldwater
Fishes of North east India
By
Prof. Prashanta Kumar Bordoloi, Assam Kaziranga University, Karaikhowa, NH 37, Jorhat
Assam. 785006, prashanta@kazirangauniversity.in
Mr Arupjyoti Borgohain, Amalgamated Plantation Limited, Teok TE, Jorhat, Assam
arupjyoti@amalgamated.in
Mr Shankar Barua, Hatikhuli TE, Amalgamated Plantation Limited, Kohora
Shankar@amalgamated.in
Introduction :
The North eastern region of India shares its fish fauna predominantly with that of IndoGangetic and to a small extent with the Burmese and South China (Yadav and Chandra, 1994). Sarkar
and Ponniah (2000) listed 197 potential food , sports and aquarium fish species belonging to 27
families under 74 genera. The National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR, ICAR), Lucknow, in
1992 identified 9 endemic fishes of NE Region as most threatened. These are Ompok pabda, Ompok
pabo, Labeo dyocheilus, Semiplotus semiplotus, Olyra longicaudata, Psilorhynchus homaloptera,
Noemacheilous elongates, Belitorra brucci, and Barbus dukai. It is reported that out of the 600 fresh
water fishes identified in India, 320 are assessed through conservation assessment and management
plan (CAMP) workshop under the BCCP jointly organised by the organised by the NBFGR and and Zoo
Outreach organization of the IUCN in 1996, of this 320 species 105 were from NE Region alone; 4 of
it were catagorised as critically endangered, 17 as endangered 40 as vulnerable, 34 as lower risk
near threatened, 7 as lower risk least concern etc. The 4 species under CR category are Garra
Litanensis Viswanath, G Manipurensis, abrychthys garoenchis Hora, and Lapedocephaleus
goalparensis, of these 3 species are endemic to this region.
Assam alone is a home of 185 species belonging to 98 genera under 34 families of
fishes. This group has 33 representatives endemic to the region. These are what one lays
their hands on, in the remote and inaccessible areas how many fish species are yet to be left
discovered, none comprehends. A random survey conducted around 1996-98 25 species
were identified as threatened species that faces danger of being extinct at different level of
danger. Although, this workshop is about endangered cold water species of fish, as a
concerned citizen, we would like to delve into entire gamut of the problem to discuss the
bright possibility of not only protection and conservation but also commercially exploit the
rich fauna in a sustainable way through the organised corporate sector. Erstwhile Tata Tea
Limited, converted into Amalgamated Plantation Limited is embarking upon an ambitious
plan of utilising the lowlying areas unfit for raising tea plantation, within its 26 estates of the
North East India, as rainwater harvesting water bodies in situ to improve upon the microclimate to take on meteorological drought, and use of the water bodies in multifaceted
activities like, recreation, tourism apart from using it as fisheries. In a nascent way, the
Company took up operation research project and it proved beneficial at experimental level
itself. Fish has great marketing potential in this non-vegetarian food habit region and bears
promise of success in this venture.
Given below are the excerpts of authors comprehensive report on Water Management
Strategy for Amalagamated Tea Plantation Limited, which is self-explanatory. Any
development for comfort is always against a price. With the multiplying; demand for comfort
in developed and developing societies puts on tremendous pressure on natural resources
and also generation of waste degradable non-degradable. The price for the comfort is so

dearer that as a fallout change of climate is creeping in. This is a threat to the very
existence of human being. lET US NOT PROSPER OVEREXPLOITING MOTHER
NATURE, BORROWING THE FUTURE OF THE POSTERITY. The alarmed world, after
threadbare deliberation, univocally adopted the strategy for sustainable development.
INTEGRATED
WATER
RESOURCES
MANAGEMENT
FOR
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
At the Rio de Janeiro Conference on Environment and Development, Principle 3
characterised sustainable development as the right to development. Sustainable
development means economic development and improvement in standards of living which
do not impair the future ability of the environment to provide sustenance.This strategy has to
be region specific which aims at ecological restoration and improvement of microclimate
vis-a-vis development activities. This has been advocated by the tea industry of NE India
adopting the strategy by cutting off the chemical load on soil and plant environment
(inorganic fertilizer, pesticide, fungicide, weedicide and miticide etc.), conserving soil and
water through watershed management approach on one hand and restoring ecological
balance through bio-control, improvement of micro-climate through rainwater harvesting in
watershed and through agro-forestry on roadside, drain side and low areas in estates with
appropriate land use planning.
Mist or humidity has profound impact on flushing of tea plants. This is climatic
requirement of tea. It is experimentally established that if the air is too dry, with other climatic
condition met, tea plant will not flush even after irrigation application. Prof. M K V Carr
established that at 2 MPa saturation vapour pressure deficit (a measure of air dryness) tea
buds do not unfold. Except for Upper Assam tea district, this limit of saturation vapour
pressure deficit exceed from February to mid April in the Brahmaputra and Barak valley tea
districts and upto end April in Dooars. Humidity is not a limiting factor in the main cropping
season, as the Pre-monsoon, South west monsoon originates for the succour to the thirsty
soil and the plant. With rise of ambient temperature, air dries up, which demands more
vapour from land; building up of wind to gust and thunderstorm carries away the humidity
from the estate resulting acceleration of transpiration of the plants. Plants hardly utilises 1%
of water extracted from soil for metabolic activity of photosynthesis; rest water is required for
transpiration. Transpiration ensures opening up of stomata through which enters carbon di
oxide gas from air. When the soil dries up in late winter (February March), soil moisture
tension set up; tea plants have to exert more force to extract soil moisture. As defence
mechanism, the plants close down the stomata. It results in retarding/ stoppage of metabolic
activity. Maintaining turgidity is the sole objective of water management of crop.
Highly uneven distribution of rainfall give rise to twain problem of water management in
tea excess soil moisture leading to water logging, and deficit rainfall in winter induce
moisture stress in tea plants. Both situations is responded by the plants by closing down
stomata for self defence; this result in loss of crop and productivity. Waterlogging is the
primary cause of declining of productivity, it also speed up ageing because weakening of the
bush, conditions become favourable for pest and diseases, weed infestation.
Ill effect of drought can be substantially minimised if microclimate can be improved.
The glaring example is Hathikuli TE, it suffers the least in drought despite without irrigation.
Large scale water harvesting, albeit for fish cultivation, has improved the microclimate with
soothing moist air emanating from the water bodies. Under such humid condition,
transpiration needs of the plant reduces, which indirectly help it to maintain turgidity of
canopy. Benefit derived from improving micro-climate is intangible. Good stand of shade not
only help the bush but also act as wind barrier too. All the estates on south bank are having
rolling topography highly crissed-crossed by several hollas, shallow and deep. Already some
of the hollas are developed for fishery excavating six to eight feet deep tanks. Although in
nascent stage, fisheries are reportedly proved to be a profitable venture, and the company is
planning for widening the scope. In the respective visit reports, the possibility of large scale
water harvesting cum fishery development is mentioned. Shallow hollas can be excavated to
required depth (6-8 feet) leaving collector drains on holla sides for segregating the drainage
effluent away from fisheries, as is practised now.

Some of the hollas are cultivated with paddy by the workers. These hollas can also
be developed for water harvesting, in fact to gear up for braving the climate change
scenario. However, it is a delicate social issue, which warrants careful handling. Probably
service of Sociologist of TISS, Guwahati can be drafted to derive an amicable solution.
Working out a win win solution is the key to conflict resolution. May be integration of fishery
with paddy can be one solution. Sustained productivity at high level, (not optimum, as our
agricultural practice are yet to reach precision agricultural stage) was the driving force for us
in the visit, bearing in mind the danger of climate change looming large over all of us. For
any crop, health is derived from the soil upon which it is raised and the life of the crop is on
water. Soil and water, are integral part of sustained productivity strategy; need development,
but not borrowing from future generation, ie, exploitation. The world community congregated
in Kyoto and prescribed sustained development to be the strategy to meet the challenge of
climate change. The sustained development strategy has to be region specific. The
suggestions prescribed to individual estates was made bearing in mind the above learned
counsel of the world community on climate change, taking into account the geomorphology
of the areas, the climate, soil and plantation. The strategy is build on the strength and
remove the inherent weakness based on research findings.
In almost all the estates barring Mongoldoi district estates and Dooars estates,
rainwater harvesting at watershed level was noticed, which is a very positive step for
combating ill effects of climate change. TRA advocated this strategy way back in eighties
and showcased in Aenakhal TE, Cachar; create huge water bodies in the low valley fill areas
between the hillocks, high flats and plateaus, locally coined as Kunchis.
In the Brahmaputra valley, the scale of development of water bodies in the low areas
of the estates, which are otherwise not suitable for raising tea, is quite large compared to

Lakes created in Kunchis of Barak Valley


other tea estates. It deserve kudos for being in the forefront in gearing up to take on the
onslaught of evils of climate change, though it is done primarily for diversification, to use as
fisheries.

Water Bodies created in Hollas of Brahmaputra Valley Estates through excavation


irrespective deep or shallow holla.
Prospects and Problems : From water management perspective, the plantation is
suffering the twin menace of waterlogging and moisture stress, to varying degrees, in
summer and winter season respectively. This is owing to uneven distribution of rainfall in
different period of rainfall. Waterlogging problem becomes critical, if the outlet is restricted
like in Teok, Nahortoloi, part of Naharkatiya, Namroop and Lattakoojan, Nonoi, Nowera
Nuddy TEs. This is because of the land formation, (geo-morphological setting) on which
estates are situated. Alluvial land form like that in the Brahmaputra valley (from Sadiya to
Terai) follows a sequential terrace, high on the mountain front, called the Bhabar zone (it
consists of upper piedmont plains, lower piedmont plains, for commoners it is the foothills)
which gradually merging into the slightly undulating surfaces of old and new alluvial plains.
The geomorphic units of the valley are 1) denudational hills, ii) high level fan cut terraces of
piedmont zone, iii) medium level alluvial plains, iv) low level alluvial plain, v) flood plain and
vi) paleo-channel or abandoned river courses. (These information is provided to draw
wisdom for framing sustained development strategy). These divisions are more prominent in
Dooars
and
part of lower
Assam on the
North
Bank;
but clear cut
divisions
are
not noticed in
the Central and
Upper Assam
portion of the
North
Bank
from Dhansiri
(south) river to
Sadiya,
and
very
less
prominent on
entire
south
bank. Estate specific geomorphic units, as available with TRA is provided herewith for
reference. Geomorpholgy and geohydrolgy is inseparable for delving sustained water

management strategy. There are limited scope in Dering of Hathikhuli, Hattigaon of


Kellyden, Diffloo,
Powai, Hattigarh
div of Nahorani,
Damdim,
Rungamatti TEs
for
creation
huge
water
bodies,
impounding
water in deep
hollas, simply by
raising the road
linking the two
high tea lands,
across the holla,
in layers of 45cm
soil comapcting
to 30cm and
provided with two
hume
pipe
culverts at higher level on the firm ground by tea sides to spillover the excess flow, as a
safety valve, without involving any excavation, like it was done for New Addabari Division of
Addabari TE of MRIL. These lakes can be utilised for touristic purposes, as fisheries, for
water sports, boating; adding ornamental teas along the banks including orchids a
possibility immense in the true spirit of enterprenurship. In fact, in Assam and Bengal tourists
in Kaziranga, Nameri, North Bengal forest have to kill time in lesion in the afternoon hours
after in the joying early morning safaries, rafting etc. These waterbodies can keep them
engage with enlifetime experience having watersport in serene, pristine setting of tea
plantation with rolling plucking table which is a feast to the eye itself.
There are many hollas shallow in depth, which can be deepen to 6 feet depth. It
involves excavating 645504 cft of soil, or 40 JCB days excavating 16,000 cft of soil in eight
hours a day. Dr4ainage effluent is need to be skirted away the ponds to prevent pollution. It
is a huge quantity of earth work, demands prior planning of disposal of earth; may be one
solution can be sell it to people looking for soil for earth filling. There are hollas shallow in
depth

Drainage perspective - Achabam, Nahorkatiya, Namroop, Chubwa, Nahortoli, Borhat,


Teok,
Lamabari

these estates
are located on
Low
level
Borhat TE
alluvial plains.
These estates
marginally
above
the
surrounding
flood
plains.
Slightly
undulating
surface
seperated by
hollas, mostly
cultivated with
paddy. In most
part of Achabam, Nahorkatiya land relief (level difference of tea land with holla beared) is
adequate and therefore, those hollas are the drainage base for the estates. Towards the
lower edge, tea reas are merged into hollas and therefore, it called for developing the hollas
upto the recipient rivers. In case of Nahortoli, Namroop, Chubwa, Borhat and Teok, the
reciepient rivers got chocked, strategy for which was discussed above. Namroop, although
situated on the bank of Desam, is actually falls into the catchment of Burhi-Dehing rivers.
Several hollas on the eastern boundary used to drain the watershed to the Burhi-Dehing
passing through the adjoining paddy land. Over the years, owing to environmental
degradation, complicated later by the railtract to BVFCL factory, these hollas got extinct,
forcing the estate to reverse the maindrains to Desang cutting deep drains. It caused gully
erosion, plugging measures are suggested in the report; also add to the river erosion of tea
areas. Removal of boulders from the riverbed triggerds bank erosion. Eco-friendly bioengineering measures are suggested to offer friction against the eroding velocity of the river
on deluge raising locallyavailable vegetation on the exposed riverfront along with vetiver.
Even Borzhao bon should also be tried, which can be multiplied by stump planting of mature
branches collecting from Brahmaputra riverside (In Jhanjimukh area vendors sells Bor Zhao
branches in bundles for use as firewood. This will not alter the course of the river as is
happen with structural measures. Similar bio-engineering measures are adopted for erosion
protection of Malaysias new capital city Putra Jaya succesfully.

Nahortoli TE
TETE
Chubwa TE
TETE

APO = Old Alluvial Plain, higher land, undulating

Powai TE
APY= Young alluvial plain, Low
TETE
flats, little higher than floodplain

Achabam TE
TETE
Naharkatiya TE
TETE
Namrup TE

FP= flood plain


TETE

Powai, Kakojan, Borjan, Lattakoojan, Diffloo, Sagmootea, Hathikuli, Kellyden,


Lattakoojan, Nonoi, Nahorani and Lamabari are located on Old alluviums. These are
situated on Medium level alluvial plains, higher in elevation than the lower alluvial plains. By
and large, these estates are therefore, well drained. At the periphery, some portion of
Kakojan, Borjan, Nonoi and Lamabari are merging into the low level plain, and plantation on
that marginal land is suffering from high water table. Measures are suggested for
amelioration. In these estates, the intervenning hollas are serving as drainage base or outlet.
Some
of
the
hollas are as
deep as 10 to 12
feet
(Powai,
Lattakoojan,
Bhatoubari div. of
Borjan,
Sagmootea,
Hathigaon div. of
Kellyden,
Hathibari div. of
Nahorani, even in
part of Achabam)
, some are as
shallow as 2 to 5
feet (Kellyden div. Nonoi, Diffloo, Sagmootea lower part, Hathikuli, Nahorani div. Lamabari,
Borjan division). Shallow hollas (less than 3 feet depth) are to be deepen by 3 feet on along
the edges to drainout the tea areas.

Majuli Island

Swamp

Teok TE

Kakojan
TE

Jakhalabandha
Hathikuli TE

Difflu TE

Borjan TE

Kellyden TE

Nonoi TE

NRL
Lattakujan TE
TETE
Paleochannel or
Ox-bow lake left
by Dhansiri R,
good for fishery

Nameri RF, high land

Jia Bharali R

Nahorani TE

Mora Bharali, abandoned by Bharali,


good for fishery from Parua chariali to
outfall at the Brahmaputra

Lake form by the guide bund can be utilized for


fishery and water sport activity

Majuli
Lamabari TE
Hattigorh

Majuli, Hattigor, Batabari, Rungamati and Damdim are situated on lower end of high
level terraces at the foothills. These terraces are occupied by the tea estates and reserve
forest. The area is built up by the coalescence of several alluvial fans consisting of
unconsolidated boulder, gravels, pebbles, cobbles, sands, silt and clays. These forms a
highly recharge zone, ie, most part of the rainfall lost into the soil ending up recharging the
ground water reservoir, which seep out in lower plains like in jhoras of Rungamati TE
through adjoining paddyland near Section 1 and 2 and seasonally in the jhoras inside the

estates. The land through which seepage water from upper catchment of the foothills flowing
parennialy is classified as Terai by the geologists; it is a Persian word meaning weeping.
However in tea plantation terminology, a strip of low land below foothills ranging 22km to 36

km width in North Bengal is referred as Terai. In Terai zones, seepage dams are
implemented successfully.
Therefore, in the Bhabar zone areas (Majuli, Hattigorh, Batabari, Rungamati) rainwater
harvesting or fishery may not be
successful, as stored water shall
leaked out quickly through the
porous soil. The tank in Hattigorh
is exceptional, which was in fact a
brick manufacturing pit, almost
clay plastered, which sealed the
pores. However, in Rungamati
there are prospect of developing
seepage water reservoir by
excavating 8-10 feet deep tanks
in the paddy lands near section 1
and 2. It is already attempted in
an experimental scale, which can
enlarged in the coming cold
weather. This shall improve microclimate as well as shall be prospecting fishery
development.

In all the Estates in the Brahmaputra Valley, effects of Localised Water Logging (LWL)
was noticed in old plantations, which was mentioned in visit report. LWL takes place for 2
reasons- inadequate land levelling in the past,(might be owing to absence of a land leveller)
and or leaving the excavated soil of drains by it sides, thus creating small bund sealing the
escape route of surface water.

Hydrology of Alluvial Fans


Fans often act as aquifers:
Often lake, springs at base:

Conclusion : Hollas area liability for a tea estate, however, the problem can be transformed
into a prospect with technology. Amalgamated tea Plantation holds promise in this direction
addressing water management problem . For a fishery of cold water fishes, water should be free
from heavy metal contamination and free from turbidity. It should be well connected, have the
provision of electricity; pH should be within the range of 6.5 to 8, and water temperature should not
exceed 20 deg C. However, trout can tolerate upto 24 deg C. Therefore, with the shade tree cover,
rain water harvested in tea plantation hold a good promise for raising fishery in organised sector.
However, the tea industry lacks technology backup for such a venture. This void can be filled up the
DCFR, through its regional office. Participation of organised sector can usher a silent blue reviolution
in the NE India.

Since we all are convinced that most of the hill stream food fishes which are having a very high
demand in the local communities like Silgharia (L. dero, L.dyocheilus, L.pungusia etc.), Pithia (Tor
species), and Mahseers are in the list of either in endangered or threaten species. Besides the food
fishes, most of the hill stream ornamental fish species area also in the verge of extinction. So its the
high time to think of those species and to do something for them.
For instance the Silgharia species, which was found abundantly in the Dhansiri River and
Kailani River of Golaghat district in Assam which are flowing from Naga Hills and Karbi Hills. But at
present this species is hardly seen in these rivers.
Currently in all sections, people are talking, creating mass awareness to save Rhinos, Tigers
etc. But nobody is giving an importance to save our endemic fish species except very few. Since we
are already late, we should progress fast with a focused planning and strategy for research to save
the fishes.
Issues that need to address:
1)
Study on the present status of these endemic species.
2)
Study on the habit and habitat of these species.
3)
Studies on the captive breeding and seed rearing of these species.
4)
Studies and formulating a controlled culture practice for these species.
5)
Market study for these species.
What we can do:
1)
The first step towards conservation of this species is to formulating a plan of action
in a collaborative mode: Here we can involve private institutions in a PPP mode for necessary
research support in terms of infrastructure, manpower and creating mass awareness etc.
2)
Transfer of Breeding and culture technology: Once after successful completion of
research on captive breeding and culture technology, disseminate it to the people for farming. It will
help to minimize the illegal fishing in the natural habitat.
3)
Involving the corporate houses: Here we can approach and convince the Corporate
houses to work on the conservation part like establishment of Hatcheries for ranching of these
species as part of their CSR programme.

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