Sehore (Madhya Pradesh): At a time when the government has launched various schemes to encourage fish farming, the Narmada River and its tributaries have lost 80 species of fish in just two decades, experts say.

Excessive mining of sand is the reason behind such a huge loss, they said. According to them, 140 species of fish were available, but only 60 are available now. But many of these species are also on the verge of extinction.

Most important of all the fishes, Manasheer, the state fish of MP also called the Narmada Tiger, is on the verge of extinction.

Many other fishes, once available in the Narmada River in a huge quantity, have almost disappeared. This has happened when the government has launched various schemes to encourage fish farming.  

The government’s policies have enhanced people’s interests in fish farming. The species of fish which have become extinct are Mahasheer, Kalot (catla), Patola, Deshi Mangoor, Singhara, and Suja.  

According to sources, Mahseer breeds in a natural environment. Mahasheer was available in Chhipaner, Neelkanth, Sheelkhanth, Babri Ghat, Tikali and Nimawar ghats of the Narmada River.

But Mahasheer have become extinct because excessive sand mining has deprived them of a natural environment to grow. The government did not take any concrete steps to protect this variety of fish.

Mahseer, which shines like gold, is the pride of the Narmada River. It was given the status of state fish because of its size and beauty, but it failed to preserve the fish.