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J. Env. Bio-Sci., 2018: Vol. 32 (1): 161-163 ISSN 0973-6913 (Print), ISSN 0976-3384 (On Line)

EXPLORATION OF ICHTHYO FAUNAL DIVERSITY IN JAKHAM STREAM, PRATAPGARH,

RAJASTHAN
*Harinder Singh Banyal and Sanjeev Kumar
Desert Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Jodhpur-342005, Rajasthan, India.
[*Corresponding author: dr.harinderbanyal@gmail.com, Contact no.:09660386654]

Received: 25-05-2018 Accepted: 31-05-2018

Fish collection was made from Jakham streams during 2014 to assess the composition of fish faunal diversity. Six species of
fishes belonging to Cypriniformes order were reported from the stream.
Kye words: Fish, Jakham, Stream.

In an aquatic ecosystem fishes serve as best food for human
beings moreover, fishes are one of the best indicators of the
health of an aquatic ecosystem (Gorman and Karr, 1978).
Nowadays, management of the aquatic habitats linked with
fish diversity is of the utmost importance, in this context
extensive surveys are required to assess impacts of habitat
alteration on the fish population (Dudgeon et al., 2006).
district known as Jakham dam. It is located in Anooppura
village of Pratapgarh district. The dam is a main irrigation project
of the area. Hence, the water level remains minimal most part
of the year downstream to the dam and the stream barely
flows. Present study was carried out in Jakham stream near
to Chotti Sadari and Dhariawad region of Pratapgarh district of
Rajasthan.

Rajasthan, the largest state in India is well known for its varied MATERIAL AND METHODS
topography and biodiversity. This state can be broadly divided
Fish collection was made predominantly by using cast nets.
into the following topographical regions viz.: western & north
Hand, scoop and drag net were also used. The fishes were
western region, known for its extreme arid climate & the
preserved in 5-10% formalin for further studies and were
inimitable Thar Desert; the semi-arid eastern region with
identified following Talwar and Jhingran (1991), Jayaram (1999)
sufficient vegetation cover is broadly drained by Chambal River
& www.fishbase.org. Nature of stream flow was decided
& its tributaries. Chambal River basin includes the southern,
according to the norms given by Gordon et al. (1992), whereas,
eastern and north-eastern part of the state with tributaries such
nature of the stream bottom was accounted according to the
as Kalisindh, Bedach, Banas and Parbati. The southern part
criteria given by Armontrout (1999).
of the state consist of hilly and lush green landscape where
water resource development in the form of large numbers of OBSERVATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS
reservoirs is present. Mahi River basin with its main tributaries
Extensive and exclusive work on Ichthyofaunal diversity of
Jakham, Som and Anas drains the southern part of the state.
Rajasthan has been carried out mainly by Hora and Mathur
The Mahi River originates in the western Vindhya Range, just
(1952), Datta and Majumdar (1970), Johal et al. (1993) and
south of Sardarpur and flows northward through Madhya
Mohan, et al. (2013) . Southern and south eastern part of the
Pradesh state. Spiraling northwest, it enters Rajasthan state
state is surveyed for fish diversity mainly by Dubey and Mehra
and then turns southwest to flow through Gujarat state and
(1962), Sharma and Johal (1982), Sharma and Johal (1984),
finally empties into Arabian Sea at Bay of Khambhat after
Gupta & Kulshreshta (1985), Khatri, et al. (1986), Johal and
traversing distance of about 580-kms.
Sharma (1986), Juyal and Chaudhary (2003); Sharma and
The Jakham stream is one of the main tributaries of Mahi River Choudhury (2007). Dubey and Mehra (1962) recorded 71
which initiates from a small village Jakhamia in Chhoti Sadri species, whereas Banyal and Kumar (2015a) have
sub division of Pratapgarh district of Rajasthan. It mainly passes documented 54 species of fish from Rajasthan portion of River
through the hilly region of Pratapgarh district in a south-western Chambal.
direction and joins river Som near Bilara village in Dungurpur
Banyal and Kumar (2015 b, c and d) have also worked on the
district. A dam has been built across the river in Pratapgarh
NAAS Rating (2017)-4.43
 BANYAL AND KUMAR (162)

Fig. 1: Showing area of study ( Source: Google earth)

Ichthyofauna of Mahi Riverine system. Almost negligible Genus: Garra Hamilton

information is available on fish fauna of Jakham stream. Hence 5. Garra lamta (Hamilton, 1822)
present work was undertaken to explore details of fish fauna Genus: Labeo Cuvier
in the stream. 6. Labeo boggut (Sykes, 1839)
Jakham is a perennial and spring fed stream. At the points of Since, present research work was carried out in the headwater
study the stream was having substantial amount of water. The of the stream and according to the River Continuum Concept
bottom of the stream consisted of rocks, boulders, cobbles, (Vannote et al. 1980) variability and faunal diversity increases
gravels and sand. Run, riffles and pools were the main habitats from head water to the mouth water in a stream. Hence, 6
observed in the stream. cyprinid species recorded from the area of study. The status
of most of the fishes found in this stream is common. These
Six species of fishes were recorded from the stream. Details fishes with desirable morphological modifications viz.
of the fishes are as follows: streamlined and dorsoventrally flattened body along with
Class: Actinopterygii adhesive apparatus on ventral side near mouth as reported in
Order: Cypriniformes case of Garra lamta and Crossocheilus latius are well adapted
Family: Cyprinidae to flourish in this stream. Juveniles of Tor khudree (Sykes,
Genus: Tor Gray 1839) found in this stream reflect its importance from fisheries
1. Tor khudree (Sykes, 1839) point of view. This fish is endowed with strong power of
Genus: Rasbora Bleeker locomotion to withstand fast flowing water in the streams. Tor
2. Rasbora daniconius (Hamilton, 1822) khudree (Sykes, 1839) is a valuable fish liked by many people
Genus: Kuhl & van Hasselt including anglers due to its flesh quality and fighting ability.
3. Crossocheilus latius (Hamilton, 1822) This fish migrates upstream for spawning; but, construction of
Genus: Pethia Pethiyagoda et al., dams, removal of bed material; illegal fishing during spawning
4. Pethia ticto (Hamilton, 1822) period are some of the anthropogenic factors which are
(163) EXPLORATION OF ICHTHYOFAUNAL DIVERSITY IN JAKHAM STREAM, PRATAPGARH, RAJASTHAN
accounting for dwindling populations of said fish in Mahi riverine
system (Khatri et. al.1986). Present observations confirm
aforesaid observations. Hence, it is very important to conserve
ecology of stream like Jakham to enhance population of said
fish in Mahi riverine system.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors are thankful to Dr. Kailash Chandra, Director, Z.S.I.,
Kolkata for providing necessary facilities to undertake present
work.
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