Effects of climate change on the occurrence of Chitala chitala (Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822) in Tripura

Abstract

Chitala chitala (Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822) a near threatened fish species of freshwater ecosystem is considered as preferred fish to the consumers due to its taste. The occurrence and abundance of this species is greatly reducing in North-Eastern India. Thus, in view of conserving the species it is undoubtedly important to identify its environmental quality. The climatic characteristics of Tripura during last two decades showed that a little by little increase in temperature became a visible feature of the environment of Tripura. Simultaneously, a slow and gradual rise in humidity was also found to be evident. On the other, rainfall was decreased quantitatively. An inverse statistical correlation was noticed between air temperature and rainfall (r =0.99, P