Rapid demotechnic growth and

change in natural environment due to

industrialization and urbanization is
pushing biodiversity to the brink of
extinction
This involves Darjeeling Himalaya, an
integral part of the most magnificent
the Eastern Himalaya which is an
important Biodiversity Hotspot with
variety of flora and fauna along with
some endemic species.
Darjeeling Himalaya is bestowed with
unsurpassed biodiversity, traditional,
villages, agricultural settlements,
livestock rearing, small markets and
many water bodies (high and mid
altitude rivers and many perennial
spring fed ponds called Jhora ponds)

 More or less all the rivers are impacted causing a decline in the fish
population
Major factors involved areConstruction of highways, roads, bridges and dams
Destruction of riparian vegetation and watershed forest
cover
Denudation causing high siltation, boulder and sand lifting,
landslides
Disposal of untreated sewages
Indiscriminant use of pesticides and fertilizer in agricultural
practices, altered land use pattern
Rampant fishing and use of illegal fishing methods

Rampant fishing and use of illegal fishing

methods includes:Diversion of river channel
Netting
Angling
Fish-spearing
Rock striking or hammering
Dynamiting
Electric fishing
River poisoning
chemicals etc.)

Kur thunnu
Use of traps

(plant extracts and

Diversion of river channel

Cast netting

Scoop netting

Rock striking

Dynamiting

Electro fishing

Kur thunnu (capture in breeding habitat)

Trapping

A big trap

Thokre trap

Dhadiya trap

Teesta, Rangit, Mechi, Balason,

Mahananda, Lish, Gish, Chel,
Murti and Jaldhaka are major
rivers
These
resources
maintain
relatively
low
temperature
supporting a low production
and slow growth of fishes
Thus supports unique and rich
diversity of many indigenous
fishes having both edible and
ornamental value with great
export potential

Out of the total 258 fish sps. belonging to 76 genera reported

from Himalayas and Peninsular India, it has been reported that
there are 65 sps. belonging to 39 genera and 25 sps. belonging
to 15 genera in the river Teesta and Relli of Darjeeling Hills in
West Bengal, respectively
Trouts, mahseer, carps (both major and minor) and loaches are
important as sport, food and ornamental fishes

Glimpses of endemic fish species of River Teesta and Relli

Barilius bendelisis (Ham.); Hamiltonba

arilius vagra (Ham.); Vagra baril (E).

Barilius tileo (Ham.); Tileo baril (E).

Salmophusia bacaila (Ham.); Large

razor belly minnow

Garra gotyla gotyla (Gray); Sucker hea

socheilus latius (Ham.); Gangetic latia(E).

Schizothorax progastus (Mc Clelland)

Chagunius chagunio (Ham.); Chaguni

Schizothorax richardsonii (Gray).

Cyprinion semiplotum (Mc

Clelland);
Assamese kingfish

lissocheilus hexagonolepis (Mc Clelland)

Devario aequipinnatus (Mc Clelland); Gia

danio (E).

Neolissocheilus hexastichus (Mc Clella

Tor putitora (Ham.); Golden mahseer (E)

Puntius gelius (Ham.); Golden

dwarf barb (E)

Psilorhynchus sucatio (Ham.); River ston

carp (E).

Psilorhynchus homaloptera (Ham.).

Canthophrys gongota (Ham.); Jaguar loac

Pangio pangia (Ham.); Coolie loach (E)

Botia lohachata (Choudhuri); Y-loach (E).

tora brucei (Gray); Grays stone loach (E).

Acanthocobitis botia (Ham.); Leopard

loach (E).

Aborichthyes elongatus (Hora).

Nemacheilus devdevi (Hora); Olivaceous

loach (E).

Bagarius bagarius (Ham.); Goonch (E).

Ailia coila (Mc Clelland); Gangetic ailia (E).

Glyptothorax cavia (Ham.); Banded

torrent catfish

Nangra nangra (Ham.); Kosi nangra

(E)

Pseudecheneis sulcata (Mc Clelland)

Sisor rhabdophorus (Ham.); Whiptail

catfish (E)

Amblyceps mangois (Ham.);Scissor tail

catfish (E).

These findings of fish biodiversity study may

provide baseline data for formulating new
fishery policy for their conservation and
management
Therefore, to protect the biodiversity and
conserve the fish farmers of Eastern
Himalaya various steps have been taken for
conservation and sustainability.

 Aquaculture in hills has not attained appreciable magnitude of

commercial importance
Attributed to slow growth rate and meagre transport facilities
Catches sold to nearby villages or local markets fetching low
prices
Jhora Fishery an important aspect of Coldwater Fishery in
Darjeeling Himalaya
It provides an opportunity for socio-economic development of
rural small and marginal farmers while aiding in their welfare
This fish culture system was initiated by the Department of
Fisheries, Government of West Bengal in 1981, to raise fish seeds
of carps

Topography and Structure of

Jhora Ponds
Site of a Jhora pond is always near a perennial
Jhora or stream of Limnocrene type from where
water is channeled into it.

A perennial Jhora & Jhora pond

(Phuguri)

There should be minimal possibility of landslide

and having a flat terrain.
The soil should be of a clayey-loamy texture for
better retention of water in a Jhora pond.
Generally, an area having 1500 sq ft is called one unit Jhora with probable dimension
of 50ft. length and 30ft. breadth.
Plot with no danger of land seepage and percolation is selected for constructing the
pond.
Presently, concrete tanks are being preferred by Jhora beneficiaries so that, the cost
of maintenance of earthen ponds is reduced.

The shape of the pond is round, oval,

square or rectangle.
Depth of the Jhora pond should be
from 0.8 to 1.0 m.

Top netting of Jhora pond (Phuguri)

A view of Jhora pond

(Bungkulung)

Very shallow and too deep ponds are

not conducive for fish culture in the
hills. Too deep ponds are not
preferable because of low water
temperature whereas, in very shallow
ponds the fishes are likely to be
vulnerable to birds of prey.

Jhora pond showing inflow

of water
(Phuguri)

Fishes cultured , their

management & stocking
rate
Most farmers prefer monoculture of exotic carps while some prefer stocking
indigenous fish species.
Amongst indigenous species, chocolate Mahseer, Neolissocheilus hexagonolepis, also
known as Katli is most popular whereas, amongst the exotic fish species Grass Carp
(Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.,) and Common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.,) are cultured.
Ornamental fishes are also encouraged because of their high market value and short
period of culture. Moreover, in Jhora pond fish culture the colour and shape of the
ornamental fish is considered for marketing.
The culture period in the Darjeeling hills for both edible and ornamental fishes usually
ranges from March to October because the optimum temperature is suitable for growth
and metabolism of fish.
Depending on local conditions of seed availability and nutrient status of pond
selection of species is done.
Stocking of the ponds with fingerlings of 100-150 mm size for better survival and with
maximum stocking density @ 2240 nos./unit Jhora Pond is preferred. However, the
stocking combination and densities are selected mostly on an ad-hoc basis.

 Over the years, Jhora Fishery units were subjected to

unscientific culture practice system
Provides opportunities for the scientific community to
evaluate the problems faced by the Jhora fishers as well as,
the strength and weakness of the sector while focusing on
improvement of rural livelihood through better technologies
and innovations.
During the last few years, several on-farm trials were
conducted to culture both ornamental and edible fishes of
indigenous and exotic types on an in integrated manner with
livestock-cum-horticulture in Jhora ponds of Darjeeling
Hills in West Bengal

Trial No.1:
Integrated culture of Neolissocheilus hexagonolepis
(McClelland) with Pigdung in Jhora Pond at Pemling
(Kalimpong) for 6 months

View of the site at Pemling (Kalimpong) showing a Jhora Pond with integration
of other farming

Lecture training to the beneficiaries

 BENEFICIARIES ENGAGED IN MANAGEMENT OF JHORA PONDS

Renovation & management of Jhora pond

A Jhora pond beside vegetable garden

Distribution of fish seeds

Piglets given to beneficiaries

n Expert showing netting to the beneficiaries

Netting practiced by the beneficiarie

Plankton analysis by the Field Assistant, Pemling,

Kalimpong

The harvest of N. hexagonolepis after six months at

Pemling

Pigdung manuring showed good growth increment per month of N. hexagonolepis

with average final weight gain of 400g after a period of six months

Average Monthly Growth of Katli

450
400
350
300
250
Growth (g)

Pigdung

200
150
100
50
0
March

April

May

June

July

August

A line diagram showing average monthly growth increment of Katli

Fig.-Piglets born

Fig.- Adult Pig after six months of

rearing

Fig.- Adult Pig slaughtered and Pork

HARVEST OF FISH AFTER EIGHT MONTHS OF CULTURE PERIOD

A Beneficiary harvesting
fishes

Harvested Fishes

Expert showing Packing of live fishes

Farmers with oxygen packed brooders for transportation,

Pemling, Kalimpong

Demonstration on Induced Breeding

a. Square Portable Hapa being

demonstrated

b. Some Broods of Katli inside the Hapa place

Beneficiaries engaged in breeding

practice

Beneficiaries listening to the expert on dose

requirement of Ovaprim

Demonstration of Injection being given to a brooder

Trial No. 2
Integrated culture of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella
Val.,) and Common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.,) under
different integration system at Phuguri and
Bungkulung (Mirik)

Aerial view of the selected

site with Integrated
Farming at Phuguri (Mirik)

A Close view of Jhora Pond

with Integrated Farming at
Phuguri (Mirik)

Harvest of Grass Carp & Common Carp after six months at

Phuguri, Mirik

Farmers with the harvested fishes, Phuguri, Mirik

Oxygen Packing of harvested fishes for transportation

from Jhora Pond, Phuguri, Mirik

Demonstration of Hypophysation technique at

Bungkulung, Mirik, under Cold Water Fishery Project

Groups of trainees at Bungkulung, Mirik

Groups of trainees at Manju Lepcha Villa, Bungkulung

A line diagram showing average monthly growth of

(a) Grass carp and (b) Common carp

Cowdung manuring showed more positive influence on absolute growth rate of

Ctenopharyngodon idella and pigdung showed positive influence on absolute growth rate
of Cyprinus carpio

Mean SE of absolute monthly growth rates of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella

Val.,) and Common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.,) under different integration system at
Bungkulung (Mirik)

Treatments

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon

idella) (g/month)

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

(g/month)

T1 (Control)

28.42 8.97a

15.83 4.09a

T2(Cowdung)

63.42 19.37b

24.17 5.28ab

T3(Pigdung)

40.08 8.26ab

37.5 7.93b

Further, it was observed that, ponds treated with cowdung have higher production of
Ctenopharyngodon idella (3600 kg/ha/year) than Cyprinus carpio (1350 kg/ha/year) whereas,
pig dung has higher production of Cyprinus carpio (2000 kg/ha/year) than
Ctenopharyngodon idella (2250 kg/ha/year)

Different superscripts (a and b) denotes significant difference and

similar superscripts denote non-significant difference between