Several river fishes and aquatic life in Punjab are threatened with extinction

Lahore: Due to water pollution, water scarcity and non-native species, many river fishes and aquatic life in Punjab are facing the threat of extinction, among which the national fish of Pakistan, Mahashir, Blind Dolphin, Kalbas, Sol and Lahore Khaga are important.

Experts say that the local fish species is also affected by the import of foreign fish and their breeding trend, no clear policy has been made regarding the import of foreign fish.

Punjab Fisheries Complex in Manawan area of ​​Lahore has an Aquatic Life Museum where specimens of different species of aquatic life found in rivers, lakes and water bodies are kept. Among them is the Lahori Khaga, which is considered a souvenir of Lahore.

Dr. Bilal Ahmed, Principal of Fisheries Museum, says, “The museum has 169 specimens of fishes obtained from different rivers of Punjab, of which 85 specimens are obtained from Chenab River, 18 from Ravi River, 52 from Sutlej River and 14 from Jhelum River. have been done. There are a total of 205 species of river fishes in Punjab, but specimens of 46 species of fishes are preserved in the museum. Birds and animals that are enemies of fish are also preserved in this museum, which are 270 in number.

The fisheries museum also preserves the specimens of some fishes which have become extinct or are facing the threat of extinction in the rivers of Punjab. Among them, Mahashir, Kalbash, Sol, Malhi, Pari, Lahori Khaga and Sanghara are worth mentioning, the number of which has been greatly reduced, the blind dolphin species is also endangered.

According to aquaculture experts, the major reasons for fish extinction are water pollution, lack of water in rivers, and climate change. Professor Noor Khan, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Punjab University, while talking to The Express Tribune, said that the Lahori Khaga found in Ravi is quite famous but now it is facing extinction. When a guest came to the house of the people living in Lahore, he was definitely fed Lahore Khaga in winter.

He said that fish die in areas of rivers where sewage water from urban population and factories joins, besides water scarcity is also a major factor. Professor Noor Khan said that due to foreign fishes, the growth of local fishes has also been affected, but it is very minor. Non-indigenous fish include tilapia, gulfom, channel catfish, pula fish, silvercarp, grasscarp and other colorful fish.

According to sources, there is no policy regarding the import of non-native species of fish. People bring fishes in the name of aquarium culture while the government institutions also remain silent because if these fishes are reared and bred in the local environment, it will increase the production of meat. Apparently, these fish are imported for farming, but they are thrown into rivers and lakes. Tilapia fish lays up to 20,000 eggs at a time, similarly, the breeding rate of other fish is higher. Due to the abundance of these fishes, local fishes are decreasing.

Director of Manawan Fisheries and Aquaculture Complex Dr. Zahid Sharif says that there is no doubt that the number of natural fish in rivers, dams and barrages has decreased due to various reasons, but Punjab Fisheries is trying to meet this shortage and protect endangered fish. Every year, millions of seeds of different types of fish are prepared and released in rivers and barrages for breeding.

He said that the priority of the government is on breeding of most commercial fishes including rho, bam, tilapia, sanghari.

According to experts, apart from fish, other aquatic life, including turtles, frogs, prawns, oysters and crabs, have been affected in the rivers, dams and barrages of Punjab, and there is no survey regarding the extent to which they have become extinct. Has not been done. Punjab Wildlife also surveys mostly waterfowl and crocodiles.