ICHTHYOFAUNAL DIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION STATUS OF PUTHIMARI BEEL OF BARPETA, ASSAM, INDIA

Assam is recognized as one of the hotspots of freshwater fish diversity. Biodiversity and its conservation are regarded as one of the major issues of enabling sustainable use of natural resources. A survey was conducted on the Puthimari beel of Barpeta district since June 2017 till Feb-2018. Its geographical location falls under latitude 26º20'11'' N and 90º45'19'' E. Situated on the North of Barpeta district lies the Puthimari beel, which falls under Barnagar revenue circle. The beel is almost 2 km far from Sorbhog town. Primary data were collected by visiting the studied area twice a month. The local people and fishermans have been questioned and interviewed. The total area of the wetland was recorded to be 300 ha. The present investigation reveals an ichthyofaunal diversity of 46 indigenous fish species belonging to 37 Genera, 8 Orders and 19 Families. Among these 5 species are nearly threatened (NT), 01 species vulnerable (VU), 39 species least concern (LC) and 2 Data deficient (DD). Conservation status is evaluated based on IUCN data (2017-2). Order Perciformes was highly dominant representing 07 families. The Cyprinidae family was most diversified family with 16 representative species. This wetland holds numbers of economically important fish species having high market value as live fish many of which have potential value as food and ornamental. Most of the fish species once dominant in the beel are now endangered. If properly managed in scientific lines, these water bodies can play a vital role in boosting rural economy in addition to ground water recharge and flood control. So in this study an attempt has been made to know the actual status of icthyofaunistic resources of the Puthimari beel and its conservation status