This however does not guarantee protection extending temple premises, where the area under the sanctuary is smaller in size compared to protected areas such as Reserve Forests or Wildlife Sanctuaries. There are numerous religious temple sanctuaries dedicated to conserving Mahseer in Karnataka. Karnataka has a provision under the ‘Inland Fisheries Act, 2003’ for the ‘Declaration of Sanctuary’, with 21 fish sanctuaries identified across the state. An understanding of their movement patterns and spatial requirement is important, if we are to conserve the species and its riverine environment. The spatial ecology study with Mahseer was carefully drawn out, as they are migratory in nature. Its prime requirement being pristine natural waters, Mahseer is a sensitive species that can barely tolerate a modified water environment. Moreover, the Mahseer fish acts as an indicator of ecosystem health because it is essentially a rheophilic species that inhabits hill streams and rivers with rocky and stony substrate. Three of the five species listed as endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened species are known to be found in the river Cauvery, where the species are protected through two fish sanctuaries and protected areas. Belonging to the genus Tor, each species is restricted to a major geographical region in India. The iconic Mahseer, are medium to large bodied freshwater fish widely distributed in Indian rivers. Why did you choose the Mahseer fish as the subject of your research? What is its ecological and socio-cultural significance in the Coorg region? Our newest member, Neethi Mahesh, now a Conservation Consultant at WCS-India, sheds light on her relentless work in riparian conservation in the Coorg District, the biggest threats faced by Mahseer fish, her experience working with communities in the region to secure their livelihoods, and what she hopes to achieve in her time here. Her work in spatial ecology and conservation of Mahseer fish with the Jenu Kuruba, a forest-dwelling tribe in the Western Ghats has earned her immense appreciation, and even recognition as a ‘Conservation Hero’.
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