Fish Diversity Pattern and Conservation Management of Sunderban Delta, West Bengal

Abstract

Sunderban is the largest protruding delta on this planet covering about one million hectare of the delta of the rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna and shared between Bangladesh (~60%) and India (~40%). It is a rich source of fish biodiversity. About 15%-20% of total fish required for Kolkata market are being supplied from Sunderban and adjacent Bhery Fishery. However, the alteration of the delta ecosystem including mangrove ecosystem by human activities is turning out to be a threat to the to the fish biodiversity of this region. The present work presents a comprehensive exploration study to have an updated view of fish biodiversity at Sundarban delta region. Among the total 120 species of fish, 57 freshwater fish, 42 brackish water fish, 21 marine fish, and also 13 shell fish species have been reported from Sunderban delta. Conservation of these fish biodiversity in a sustainable way is a difficult exercise, if not impossible. So, the biodiversity of freshwater and also brackish water fish species at Sundarban delta region should be the stake to conserve such an aquatic heritage. This paper highlights the pattern of freshwater and brackish water fish biodiversity, threats and management strategies for the conservation of fish diversity in Sunderban delta of West Bengal.