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Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keenjhar Lake
migration of this species in the sea after the spawning journey. Qureshi, 1968b
studied migration of T. ilisha in the rivers of Bangladesh (East Pakistan)
It ascends rivers at all areas (India, Burma, Saim, Gulf and Island of Malaya
Archipelago), it is known to have two rims 1) starting in May-September and the
other 2) December to March. Qureshi (1968a) based on observations on the
coast of Bengal and Orissa support the views of Prashad (1919); Hora and Nair
(1940) and Hora (1938) to consider this species as not true anadromous as Hora
used the word “wandering” instead of ‘migration’ and suggested that leaving the
rivers the fish do not go far forward in the sea but stays in offshore waters. In
India it has known to have two migrations toward sea first in May and again in
January. Qureshi, 1968 reported such observation from East Pakistan. Two
breeding periods once in monsoon and second in spring season have been
reported from river Hooghly (Jones and Menon, 1951; Pillay 1958) and Gange
(Mathur, 1964). Some authors like Ravischnadra (1962) reported single spawning
River Hooghly. In 1959 the published reports indicate ascend of T.ilishia from
February and peak is attained in July which gradually diminishes till September.
Present studies under the ‘Indus For All Development Programme’ conducted by
WWF Pakistan in brief surveys found adult fishes from Kharo-Chan Creek where
the salinity was low and oxygen was high indicating the ‘Indus’ a deltaic region
during monsoon and during the months of October-November when young fish
were mostly collected from the lower parts of the River Indus indicating juvenile
migration to the sea. Palla landing at the harbors were not commonly observed
which might perhaps prove the fish mostly stays in foreshore waters not traveling
far towards deeper part of the sea. The analyses of mature gonads indicate the
eggs in single mature stage no successive size of eggs was found which may
lead to suggest that the spawning occurs once.
3.5.9.7 Construction of dams (G.M. Barrage)
Formerly Tenualosa ilisha was caught from Multan. Qureshi (1968) quoted the
catch of oozing males and females from 2 miles down the Llyoyd’s Barrage at
Sukkur as reported by Lims in 1948-1950. Ghulam Mohd. Barrage was
constructed in 1954 and migration of T.ilisha was reduced to 180 miles from 476
miles before the construction of G. M barrage.
Constructions of dams have been problem throughout the world where migratory
fish/fisheries exist. However areas where necessary precautions have been taken
before the construction of dams or similar structures, the migratory fish
successfully migrated and ascend the higher reaches of rivers. Ghulam Mohd.
Barrage constructed without taking in consideration the fisheries resources of the
area. There are some so-called fish ways, which are not useful for T. ilisha to
continue its upward migration causing depletion of this important resource. The
fish however aggregates at the barrage and spawning is limited to the area.
There have been similar reports discussing the fish ladders of G.M.Barrage by
Sindh Fisheries Department (Anon. 1957-58; 1991-92 etc), notification of
government of Sindh Livestock & Fisheries Department 2003. An ordinance
describing the measures to give a sustainable level of T. ilisha fisheries in Sindh
Indus River was issued in 1980.
To this date no action has been taken neither by the Government of Pakistan nor
any other agency. During the present studies G.M. Barrage was visited and
literature available has been reviewed. Several suggestions are highlighted by
experts of Fisheries Department and by Talbot FAO expert. Talbot 1959
published a comprehensive report on the construction of G.M.Barrage and
suggested some modifications. The author mentioned following obstacles with
fish ladders of G.M. Barrage.
WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme Page 92 of 188