Ichthyofaunal Diversity and Seasonal Harvest Patterns in Dudhawa Reservoir, Chhattisgarh, India

This study seeks to examine the status and biodiversity of fishes in medium reservoir known as Dudhawa of Chhattisgarh. The major objectives were to collect the primary data on fisheries of Dudhawa reservoir, collection, preservation and identification of fish species, to enlist the fish fauna and to study the seasonal variations in fish harvest of Dudhawa reservoir. For this study, fish specimens were collected during August 2022 to February 2024 from the reservoir and primary data pertaining to species abundance, yield and production of the reservoir were collected from the Matsya Mahasangh Raipur. The results of empirical study revealed that the list of 43 species were classified under 5 orders, 13 families and 28 genera. Analysis of different species reveals that 69.76% of them belong to a single order, Cypriniformes. The analysis of the fishes listed show that 6.97 % species belong to order Mastacembeliformes, 11.62% belong to order Perciformes, 4.65% belong to order Channiformes and 2.32% species belong to order Cluipeiformes. Statistical analysis of data reveals no correlation between stocking and yield of the reservoir. Fish species in the Dudhawa reservoir were broadly categorized into four group i.e. major carps, catfishes, minor fish and minnow’s fish. Critical observation of data shows that major carp’s fishery dominated the catch during August, 2022 to February, 2024. A high yield of major carp’s fishery (26728 kg) was obtained in November. However, catfish fishery fluctuated between 2400.5 kg in August to 9063 kg in March. Bulk of minnows fishes (23.33%-56.6%) were recorded in drag netting may be due to reduced water level during summer (February to May, 2023). This data will definitely help the fishermen and as well as fisheries officials for better stock and harvest management of this type of small reservoir of Chhattisgarh.