• Dr. Rajeshwar Mukharuji Chaudhari
• Subhash Kagdya Valvi

Fish Diversity of Narmada River Backwater in Maharashtra, India Chaudhari Rajeshwar M. and Valvi Subhash Kagdya Department of Zoology, P.S.G.V.P.Mandal’s S. I. Patil Arts, G. B. Patel Science and S. T. K. V. Sangh Commerce College, Shahada- 425409 Email: chaudharirm2011@gmail.com Abstract: Fish is a rich source of protein and occupies a vital position in the diet of people of South Asian countries. As far as fish production and natural water resources are concerned, Maharashtra is an important state which has immense scope for developing fisheries. Fish are the most diverse group of vertebrates. The variety of Indian fish is about 2,500 species, of which 930 freshwater and 1,570 marine are estimated. There are about 450 families of freshwater fishes present in India. About 25 of these families contain commercially important species. There are several Indian fish species in the Narmada River. Narmada is the fifth largest river in the country and the largest one in Gujarat. The study was done in the Narmada River east (Longitudes 72˚20’ to 23˚45’) and Northern (Latitudes 21˚20’ to 23˚45’) and different survey places Domkhedi Latitude 21.919477˚ Longitude 74.172981˚ and Hafeshvar Gujrat Latitude 21.967429˚ Longitude 74.12392˚. The fish population was recorded using the walk and ship traveling method, during a walk we observed the fish species in different places and took photos with the help of a GPS Map Camera. In present study we recorded a total of 16 species. Among identified fishes belonging to order Cypriniformes and Siluriformes were dominated with 7 species each followed by order Cichliformes with 1 and Anabantiformes with 1. Out of 16 fish species, 7 species belong to the family Cyprinidae, 3 species to Bagridae, 2 species to Pangasidae, 1 species to Cichlidae and 1 species from Channidae. In present study it was noted that very less fish diversity recorded that might be due to overfishing. Some limnological factors also affects on fish assemblage.

Keywords: Fish diversity, Narmada River, Freshwater fishes,

"Fish Diversity of Narmada River Backwater in Maharashtra, India", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 12, page no.b322-b327, December-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2412127.pdf

"Fish Diversity of Narmada River Backwater in Maharashtra, India", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 12, page no. ppb322-b327, December-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2412127.pdf