Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 12: Karnataka Biodiversity Board has stated that spots in rivers which originate in the Malnad where rare species of fish thrive have been identified. It has recommended to the government to declare these spots at fish sanctuaries. President of the board, Ananth Hegde Ashisar, met state fisheries minister Kota Srinivas Poojary and provided details of the recommendations.

Speaking thereafter, the minister concurred with the view that protection of rare breeds of fish is possible through fish sanctuaries. Expressing happiness at the recommendations, he assured that steps would be taken to declare fish sanctuaries. Eight of the fish sanctuaries recommended are located in Dakshina Kannada district, one in Udupi, one in Uttara Kannada, two in Kodagu, two in Mandya and one in Kalaburagi district. Some of the spots identified for being treated as fish sanctuaries are Shishila, Addahole, Pachanayakana Gundi, Paka, Ranganathittu, Kushalnagar, Sitanadi, and Ramanaguli among others.

Eleven spots like Sringeri, Thodikana, Shivanasamudra, Hariharalpura, Tingale, Ramanathapura etc have already been declared as fish sanctuaries. These fish sanctuaries have some very rare species of fish like Mahaseer, pearspot, paffer, salmostome, gar, beril, glass fish and killi fish are found in these sanctuaries. Ashisar said that Karnataka gets credit for being the first state in India to declare fish sanctuaries.