Ichthyofaunal checklist and its conservation status with special focus on identifying threatened and indigenous ichthyo-species in the Kharkai River: A lesser-known tributary River of Swarnarekha, Jharkhand, India: A Preliminary approach

Abstract

A recent study of the lesser-known tributary river of Swarnarekha, the Kharkai River (Jharkhand), examined freshwater fish fauna has been examined in light of the nation's endemic and endangered freshwater fish species. After preparing the first ever checklist, there are now 46 species of freshwater fishes known to exist in this river, representing 46 species from 38 genera, 21 families, and 8 orders. A total of thirty-six fish species were determined to fall into the Least Concern category. The pie chart displays the proportion of species that fall into each threat category. Approximately 82% of fish species are classified as Least Concern, 12% as Near Threatened, 3% as Vulnerable, 2% as Endangered, and 2% as Data Deficient. Overfishing, pollution, deforestation, habitat alteration mainly as a result of dam construction across rivers, intensive aquaculture, competition from invasive species, etc., are some of the contributing factors.