Effect of Anicut dam on fish population in Kangsabati River of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal

Abstract

Dams as barrier that restrict the flow of water. Dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for human activities such as aquaculture, consumption, irrigation, industrial use and navigability. One of the finest environmental challenges of this century is to preserve the natural organic structural and functional attributes of aquatic ecosystems and rivers mainly. The construction of dams effects the fish population. Dams change the migratory fish habit. Changes in discharge regime or water satisfaction can also have indirect results on fish species. Anthropogenic effects on migratory fishes are observed. Total number of fish species were found 44, belonging to 8 orders, 17 families and 27 genera.