Fisheries of Mahanadi Basin of Chhattisgarh

 

Dr. (Smt.) Nivedita A. Lall

Assistant Professor Geography, Govt. Kamladevi Rathi Mahila P.G. College, Rajnandgaon (C.G.)

 

ABSTRACT:

A lot of fish diversity is observed in the basin and many researchers have reported various species across different area in the Mahanadi basin. The Mahanadi basin has a high potential to develop fisheries.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Mahanadi is the biggest natural region of Chhattisgarh on the basis of it physical structure.

 

SITUATION AND EXPANSION:

This natural region covers more than 50% area of the states. Its total area is 68,064km. Geographically, it is situated between 19 47” Northern latitude to 23 07” northern latitude and 80 17” Eastern longitude to 83 52” Eastern longitude.

This natural region includes whole Bilaspur, Raipur and Durg division except Mohela Manpur of Rajnandgaon.

 

DRAINAGE SYSTEM:

It is the biggest drainage system of the state which is made by river Mahanadi and its tributaries. It has a drainage area of 75858 km² which is 56.11% of total drainage area. This river also falls in the Bay of Bengal due to this large drainage area it is extended over plain of Chhattisgarh In Dhamtari, Kanker, Gariyaband, Raipur, Mahasamund, Durg, Balod, Kabirdham, Rajnandgaon, Sarguja, Korba, Janjgir-Champa, Raigarh District. This drainage system includes Mahanadi as main stream and its tributary Pairy, Sondhur, Jonk, Shivnath, Laat and Mand.

 

It is originated from the Sihawa mountain in Dhamtari district which flow towards north of Balodabazar district then move towards east and separate Raipur district with Janjgir Champa district It falls On way of Bengal by making delta in Cuttack in Odisha.

 

PHYSICAL STRUCTURE:

In view of physical structure, it is predominantly formed with kadappa rock of ancient group. In some area an expansion of Archean rocks is found. Its heights is frm 150 to 400 metre.

In the area of Cuddapah Rocks Lime, Dolomite and in the area of Archean rocks Iron-ore is found.

 

LANDFORMS:

On the basis of landform structure this region can be divided into two parts: -

1. Marginal Highland -

(i) Eastern Marginal Highland (Durg highland)

(ii) Western Marginal highland (Mahasamund highland)

2. Plains of Chhattisgarh –

(i) Plains of Bilaspur Raigarh

(ii) Raipur – Durg Basin (Shivnath and Mahanadi basin)

 

MARGINAL HIGHLAND:

It includes eastern and western highland.

Eastern marginal highland –

It expands on Odisha border in Mahasamund, Gariyaband and Dhamtari district. It is known as Dhamtari Mahasamund highland. It includes Hill of Radan, Shishupal series, Nariyal pani in Mahasamund and hills of Sihava town in Dhamtari. Dharidongar is its high peak (899mt)

 

Mahanadi Lat and Jonk river originate from this region. Gomarda, Udyanti and Sitanadi sanctuaries are situated here. Basically, KAMAR tribe dwells here.

 

FISHERIES:

The Mahanadi is a perennial river which has abundant species of fish. The river is healthy as compared to other Indian rivers and the quality of the river is suitable for higher fish production. Chhattisgarh state is slowly gaining growth in inland fisheries.

 

Inland fish production in Chhattisgarh (in‘000 tonnes)

 

A lot of fish diversity is observed in the basin and many researchers have reported various species across different area in the Mahanadi basin.

 

Chhattisgarh contributes about 2% to the fish production in the country and the main sources of inland fishery are village ponds or tanks, irrigation reservoirs and river stretches. The Chhattisgarh government has introduced various schemes to improve the inland fish production, like providing training, introducing new fishing techniques, leasing aquaculture ponds to local fisherman cooperatives and providing funds for fish seed development. The department of Fisheries has also introduced welfare schemes like providing housing for fisherman, group accidental insurance scheme and relief schemes.

 

Different authorities have different leasing right as per the size of the water bodies: -

1.     Water bodies up to 10 hect. area are leased by Gram panchayat.

2.     Water bodies from 10-100 hect. area are leased by the Janpad Panchayat.

3.     Water bodies from 100-200 hect. Area leased by Jila Panchayat.

4.     Water bodies above 200 hect. Are allotted by the Department of Fisheries Coop. (200-1000 hect.) and Chhattisgarh Matsya Mahasang (1000-5000 Hect.)

 

Provides a compilation of the available water resources in Chhattisgarh for the development of Fisheries. The annual fish production in 2013-14 was 2.849 Lacs ton as against 1.395 ton in 2007-08. The schemes initiated by the Fisheries Department of Chhattisgarh have improved the inland fish production. This is indicated from the fact that the annual fish yield in 2001-2002 was 2.970 kg/hect and this has increased to 3.439 kg/hect in 2013-14 (Govt. of Chhattisgarh, 2014).

 

Water resources in Chhattisgarh for the development of Fisheries.

Source: Department of fisheries, Government of Chhattisgarh

 

Many varities of fish species are found in the Mahanadi basin of Chhattisgarh. Like Rohu (labeo rohita), catla (Catla catla), and mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) and Exotic species like grass carp (Ctenophargyngodon idellus), comman carp (Cyprinus carpio), and Silver carp (Hypothalmitcthys molitrix). Other important fish species in the Mahanadi are (found in Hasdeo river, tributary of Mahanadi), bata (Labeobata), kotri/swamp barb (Puntius sophore), khoksi/snakehead (Channa punctatus), Sirangi (Salmophasis Bacalia), kotia/bagrid catfish (Rita rita), and pardhana/catfish (Wallago attu), Besides these, there are also many indigenous species which are called ornamental fishes and have larger demand outside the basin.

 

Like the state of Chhattisgarh state which offers many central and state level schemes for fishermen. Several schemes that provides support to the farmers in buying fishing gear, marketing infrastructure and financial assistance to the families. The Mahanadi basin has a high potential to develop fisheries further with proper guidance and knowledge.

 

REFERENCE:

1.     Physical Chhattisgarh by D.C. Patel

2.     Chhattisgarh Vishisht Adhyan by Hari Ram Patel

3.     Mahanadi River Basin, Forum for policy dialogue on Water Conflicts in India.

 

Accepted on 25.02.2020            © A&V Publications All right reserved