Environmental changes, pollution force native fishes off plates
IMPHAL: Environmental changes, pollution, developmental activities and introduction of non-local fish species in pisciculture have forced indigenous fishes in Manipur to the brink of extinction — a disturbing trend which has affected local traditions as well.
According to former vicechancellor of Manipur University H Tombi, hydrological system of Manipur has drastically changed due to human pressure while the quality of wetland has also been degraded due to a lack of awareness on importance of wetlands.
The state ‘durbar’ had a record of more than 300 wetlands across valley and hills in the state sometime in 1947, but, except some, most of them are dead now, Tombi added.
As a result many native fishes including the migratory ones from Chindwin river in Myanmar have vanished from Loktak and its associated wetlands, he said.
Researcher Yumnam Lokeshwor said, “Farming of high- yielding fish variety and drying up of wetlands are some of the factors responsible for the dying of native and indigenous fish varieties”
Many indigenous fish species are endangered, according to professor W Vishwanath.
Even the International Union for Conservation of Nature had listed seven local fishes from Manipur as ‘endangered freshwater fish species’ in the Red list of threatened species report.
Purchasing local fish at the market place has become almost impossible these days, local residents said and added that indigenous fish species play a key role in preserving the state’s culture. Traditionally, ngahei was given to babies on ‘chak-umba’, the first solid food feeding day of the babies in Manipuri society while the tiny nganap forms part of the meal of newly-wedded Manipuris.
“Earlier, we used to get these fish in lakes, but it’s very hard to find them now,” said Ibemu, a fish vendor.
Officials from the state’s fisheries department said they have started initiatives to save local fish species but added that a lack of awareness among fish farmers was hampering their move.