Fish community structure and ecological degradation in tropical rivers of India

Abstract. Fish community structure and water chemistry of two tropical rivers of West Bengal, an eastern province of India, were studied for two annual cycles (January 2003–December 2004). Water quality and fish community structure reflected a higher degree of pollution in the Churni river than in the Jalangi river. We observed that 63.6% of fish species had disappeared from the polluted Churni river in 20 yr. For protection of fish biodiversity and enhancement of fish production, a rational management program should be implemented in Churni river.

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