Climate Change And Its Impact On Fish Resources In Rupnarayan River Of West Bengal,

India

Mrinmay Ghorai1, Manojit Bhattacharya, and Bidhan C. Patra

1
Dept. of Zoology ,Panskura Banamali College, Purba Medinipur-721 152, W.B.,India.

e-mail: mrghorai@gmail.com

Aquaculture Research Unit, Department of Zoology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore- 721 102,West
Bengal, India. e-mail: bcpatra@yahoo.com.

ABSTRACT :

Globally fish provides 15% of the average per capita animal protein intake for 3 billion people (World
Fish Centre, UK. 2008). It is the important source of protein for development of human being. The
present study are focused with how climate change effects on Fish Resourses in Rupnarayan river at
Kolaghat of West Bengal. Rupnarayan river system is one of the major river network of eastern India
which are the major source of water for irrigation, agriculture and industrial purpose of the people living
in river banks. Basically the length of these river is 86.5 kms. Begins on the Dhaleswari (Chhotonagpur)
of Purulia districts and ends in Hoogly river. Part of the Rupnarayan river in Kolaghat region was
undertaken to assay for our study during the year 2008-09. It is also notable for the West Bengal Power
Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) thermal power plant is located in this area, where
industrial effluents continuously mixed with this river and effects on the fish biodiversity. Climate change
also effects on fresh water culture fish in Rupnarayan river may be negative. From our study we observe
that climate change affects the rainy season, increase the precipitation and acidification, creates to flood
and increase the fish genetic resources (CMFRI- 2007). Therefore if we take the proper adaptation
method, it will boost up the production of captured fisheries in this areas of the river specially Hilsa
(Tenualosa ilisha, Hamilton, 1822).

Key words- acidification, biodiversity, captured fisheries, climate change, fish resourses.