Study on the Fish and Fishery Resources of the Rapti River

Abstract

The present study deals with the status ,distribution pattern of fish and socioeconomic condition of fishermen of the Rapti River.A total of 59 species belonging to 38 genera,19 families and 7 orders.Among them 48 species were collected from station I(Manahari),51 species from station II(Sauraha) and 53 species from station III(Jagatpur). The most common species are Cyprinids.The highest estimated catch was recorded in June and lowest in January. Thephysico-chemical and biological parameters have been studied in relation tothe distribution, abundance and frequency occurrence of ichthyofauna in Rapti River. Water quality analysis of Rapti river revealed that dissolved oxygen was of the optimum level.The river is providing with runs,pools and riffles showing the different fish habitats. The fish population in the river isdecreasing due to different human activities and natural calamities such as heavy flooding and erosion. This investigation also includes the socio-economic status of fishermen,which is found to be very poor.The study showed that about 105 fisherman families inhabiting around Rapti River are very poor and about 95% of the mare illiterate.