A preliminary study on ichthyofaunal resource of Motapung-Maguri Beel of Tinsukia district of Assam, India

Abstract

The study relates to the ichthyofaunal resource of Motapung Maguri Beel (wetland) of Tinsukia District, Assam, India. A total of 48 number of fish species including 5 exotic fish species belonging to 35 genera under 18 families from 7 orders is recorded from the present study. Among the recorded fish species no species is recorded as vulnerable, 1 species is endangered, 1 species is data deficient, 2 species are lower risk-near threatened, 39 species are lower risk-least concern and other 5 species are not evaluated. The different families recorded are Belonidae, Clupeidae, Cyprinidae, Cobitidae, Ambassidae, Anabantidae, Channidae, Gobiidae, Osphronemidae, Bagridae, Clariidae, Heteropneustidae, Schilbeidae, Siluridae, Sisoridae, Synbranchidae, Mastacembelidae and Notopteridae. The taxonomic study shows that Cyprinidae is the most dominant family with 19 numbers of species contributing about 40% of the 18 recorded family from the present study followed by Channidae (10%) and bagridae (8%). The study also reveals that the Motapung-Maguri Beel is high in fish diversity. However, the laying of a particular stretch of crude oil pipeline by Oil India Limited beneath the Motapung-Maguri Beel from Bebejia to Baghjan intersecting the beel is a matter of great concern regarding environmental safety. Any leakage or spillage in the pipelines under the beel may have far reaching impacts on this beel.