PHYSICAL FEATURES AND NATURAL RESOURCES

FISH AND FISHERIES

Fishes.

THE PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE KOLHAPUR DISTRICT are of varied nature consisting of plains, plateaus and hill ranges. The Western Ghat which forms the western boundary of the district has thrown several spurs in the eastern region. The high altitudes of these ranges and spurs with their copious rainfall, have given rise to a number of streams and small valleys. The six rivers of the district, namely, the Warna, Panchaganga, Dudhaganga, Wedganga, Hiranyakeshi and Ghataprabha, offer many sites suitable for dams and weirs. Due to construction of a series of weirs on the Panchaganga, which is formed by the confluence of five streams, the Tulsi, Kasari, Bhogawati, Brahmi, and Kumbhi, a considerable quantity of water is retained in the river, thereby affording suitable habitat for a large number of fish. Further, when the tributaries of this river dry up after the monsoon, fishes from these tributaries also migrate into the Panchaganga for shelter and forage. Besides, there are many natural lakes, irrigation tanks, reservoirs and perennial ponds, chief of which are Radhanagari reservoir, Rankala lake, Kagal tank, Atigra tank, Kalamba tank, Wadgaon tank, Rajaram tank and Talasanda tank, where piscicultural activities are being undertaken by the department. With the implementation of several new irrigation development schemes, which have a direct or indirect bearing on fisheries, pisciculture is bound to gain more importance in this region.

Important fresh water fauna of the district comprises the following varieties of fish:-

Vam which is usually found in rivers, does not figure much in the catches. It attains a size of about two feet and is highly prized as food. It is usually caught on small hooks as it frequents boulders with some currents where it is difficult to net.

Aheer from the eel group is a rare variety found in rivers. It is usually caught by hooks and line. Being a foul eater, is not much relished as food though its flesh is considered as a diet for invalids. It is disliked by many in view of its snake like appearance. It grows to about 4 feet in length.

These are bright silvery fishes, locally known as vadshi or alkut. The former grows to about 9 inches while the latter grows to about 4 inches. These are abundant in rivers and constitute the mainstay of the fishermen as well as of the poor consumers as the fish is cheap and available in large quantities. They are surface feeders, subsisting mainly on planktonic insect larvae and worms. In view of their larvicidal character, they are regarded as useful in animal anal campaign.

Of the aforesaid varieties, only dandvan is common in the catches while the remaining are found in small numbers in rivers and streams. These fishes being small in size, are not valued much. Nevertheless, they form food for the poor class. Dandvan and dandai in view of their brilliant colours find a place in aquarium. Dandvan and balooki are of some use as larvicidal fish.

Sub-family : Cyprinino.

Puntius (Tor) khudree (Sykes).-Locally called as mhasheed-is the angler's delight. It is also called as mahaseer of the Deccan and is found in most of the rivers of Kolhapur, particularly in parts of rivers frequented by Garra-mullya. It prefers rocky-bed and moderately strong current. The fish attains large size and reaches a weight of 30 to 40 lbs.

Puntius (Tor) mussullah (Sykes): Mhasheed is another large size carp and reaches a length of over three feet and weighs over 20 lbs. It is one of the species of mahaseers and gives good sport to the anglers.

The above species are medium sized carps growing from 6 to 18 inches and weighing upto a seer or more and are common in most of the lakes and rivers of Kolhapur. They are used as food all over the district and are also of some value as semi-game fishes.

Puntius ticto (Ham.).-Locally called as khavli, is a small hardy species. It has no value as food but is useful as larvicidal fish of the district.

Other Puntius species are: -

The following five Labeo species which are common carps of Kolhapur waterways are esteemed as food and game fishes: -

Other fishes belonging to this sub-family are: -

Schizmatorhynchus (Nukta) nukta (Sykes).-Nukta or bhobri- is the two-mouthed fish of the local fishermen-rather a rare variety. A conspicuous slit which lies near the nasal apertures and above the oral aperture, has given two-mouthed appearance to the fish.

Rapidly growing varieties of carps viz., Catla catla (Ham.), Labeh rohita (Ham.) and Cirrhina mrigala (Ham.) locally called catla, rohu and mirgal respectively and imported from Bengal, have been introduced in irrigation tanks and reservoirs by the Department of Fisheries. They are expected to breed and establish themselves in due course and thus provide a local source for producing the major carp fry. Catla, the quickest growing carp, weighing upto 40 lbs. is caught from the tank stocked. Rohu and mirgal weighing upto 20 lbs. are common, in catches brought from the tanks leased out. They grow up to three feet in length and are highly esteemed as food.

Botia striata var. kolhapurensis non-Waghmasa.

These are small varieties not growing more than three inches. They are bottom feeders, dwelling usually on gravelly and sandy bottom. There is a belief that soup prepared from these fishes cures cough and cold.

Waghmasa from the loaches group is a beautiful coloured fish. The body is diversified by broad dark and narrow yellow bands. On the upper surface of the head the dark and yellow streaks form a trident mark. The fish being hardy and beautiful, finds a place in the aquaria.

All these varieties of fish are carnivorous and are highly esteemed as food. Wanj and kaliwanj grow to about one foot in length. Valshivada grows to about five feet and is called a fresh water shark in view of its voracious nature. They are found in rivers as well as in tanks.

These fishes are usually found in rivers. Katirna, shingti, ghoghrya grow to about 10 inches while kudru grows to about six inches. Shingalu grows to about 18 inches and is relished as food.

All these varieties are found in rivers and are not very common in the catches. Khirit also known as blind fish, in view of its very small eyes as compared to its huge body, is sometimes caught in river Panchaganga and Krishna. It is an ugly looking fish yellowish in colour with large irregular brownish black cross bands. It is considered as the largest fresh water fish. It grows to an enormous size. Specimens measuring about five and half feet and weighing upto 150 lbs. have been caught in the river Panchganga.

These fishes are found only in rivers and are not very common in the catches. They grew to about eight to ten inches in length. Khavalchor occurs in Krishna and Panchganga rivers. Its specific local name signifies its remarkable lepidophagous habit of feeding on the scales of others fishes.

ORDER: CYPRINODONTES.

Family: CYPRINODONTIDÆ.

Aplochilus lineatus (C. and V.)

It is a small fish not growing more than three inches. It is a surface feeder known for its larvicidal nature. It is found in river Bhogavati and rarely in Panchaganga river.

This fish is rarely found in rivers and is not of commercial importance.

Dokarya murrel and mangsha are generally found in rivers and tanks. Being carnivorous, they are not useful for fish culture. Murrel or Kalamasa are highly esteemed for their flesh, hence highly priced as compared to other fishes. They grow to about three feet to four feet in length. In view of their snake-like appearance, they are called as "snake-headed fishes". Due to presence of accessory respiratory organs, they can remain alive out of water for a considerable time. Dokrya and mangsha grow to about a foot in length.

Gorami is newly introduced in some of the tanks in Kolhapur district. It grows to about one and half foot in length. This fish breeds in confined waters and being herbivorous, is eminently suitable for fish culture.

These are small carnivorous fishes found in tanks and rivers. They grow to about two to three inches in length. They are termed as "Glass fish" in view of their transparent body. They find a place in the acquaria.

ORDER: GOBIODÆ.

Family: GOBIIDÆ.

 Methods of Fishing.

Fishing in rivers and tanks is done "by means of cast nets (Phenkani), fixed nets (Ghal) drag nets (Vadap), drift nets (Kandale) and hook and line (Gana).

Cast Net.

The most elementary type of net in vogue which can still continue to be of great use to inland fisheries, is the cast net locally known as Phekani, Phek-jal, Sokari and Jhyar. This net when cast in water takes the form of a perfect circle and settles down over the fish. At the centre of this circle, there is a long string for pulling the net. The periphery of the net is provided with weights to make it sink down quickly into the depths. The peripheral margin of the net is folded to form a series of pockets wherein fish get trapped when the net is hauled by pulling the string. The mesh of the net varies from ½" to 2" (square) depending on the size of the fish to be caught. This net is made of twine and the cost varies from Rs. 30 to Rs. 50 according to the size and mesh of the net.

Fixed Net (Ghal, Sarkhva, Bagar).

It is a conical type of net, the base of which is open and rectangular. The length of the net from the rim of the base to the tapering cod end is about 35 feet and the circumference at the mouth varies from 30 feet to 40-feet. The size of the mesh diminishes as the net tapers towards its extremity where it forms an impenetrable bag. The net at the mouth is made of strong hemp twine with 4" mesh (square) and at the tapering end it is made of thin twine with ½" mesh (square).

The net is operated just after monsoon till there is strong current in the river. The net is so fixed that its mouth is kept wide open against the current in a rectangular form by supporting the lateral sides of the mouth by means of two strong bamboo 'poles. The poles are kept in position by means of wire ropes which are firmly fixed on both the banks. The fish collected at the cod end is taken out by loosening the ropes tied round it. The cost of the net is about Rs. 200.

Drag nets (Bava).

This is the largest type of net used for capture of fish both in rivers and tanks. The net is made of cotton twine and consists of 10 to 20 rectangular pieces, the number depending on the width of the sheet of water and on middle conical piece. Each piece is about 18 feet in length and 22 feet in height with 1" stretched mesh. The middle piece is conical in shape and with its cod-end resembles the fixed net described above. The rings formed by the rectangular pieces on either side of this conicle bag are very extensive and collect the fish in the bag when dragged. The whole net while in operation is provided with wooden or tin floats along the head rope to increase the buoyancy. A few small stones are tied to the ground rope to serve as sinkers. These keep the net erect. The operation of this net is interesting. A wall net is first stretched across the river, where fishing operations are to be undertaken, so that the fish scared by the drag net may not escape. Then the drag net is spread across the river about a furlong away from' the wall net. Two coir ropes about 2" thick and about 50 feet long are tied to the ends of the drag net. Each end is pulled by 10-15 persons and the net is thus dragged along the river. When the drag net comes closer to the wall net, its one end is joined to the adjacent end of the other net. Then the two free ends are pulled and the combined net is dragged across the river on to the bank. In the process of dragging the net, most of the fish are enclosed in the central conical part of the drag net, from where they are emptied by loosening the rope tied" round cod end. The drag net is operated in the tank in the manner described above except that the stationary wall net is not used, as the drag net is hauled on the opposite bank. Each rectangular piece costs about Rs. 75 and the middle conicle piece costs about Rs. 250.

Drift Nets.

Drift nets known as kandals, used in the Kolhapur district, are of different meshes varying 1½" to 7". Usually 24 rectangular pieces are joined together and operated by 12 fishermen. The net while in operation is provided with small sticks of reed locally known as "kavas", along the head rope to increase the buoyancy. A few small stones or earthenware ovals are tied to the ground rope to serve as sinkers. The drift nets are used in summer when the depth of water in the rivers and tanks is considerably reduced. The common drift nets used in deep waters elsewhere are not yet common in Kolhapur waters, although they are being introduced by the Department of Fisheries in deep tanks and reservoirs as the Laxmi Reservoir (Radhanagari), Kalamb Reservoir etc.

Hook and Line.

In addition to fishing by nets, hook and line method of fishing is also followed by fishermen of Kolhapur district. About 200 hooks are attached to a line which measures 1600 feet in length. About two empty tins or dried pumpkins are attached to the head rope to serve as floats. This kind of fishing is practised throughout the year in deeper sheets of water.

Fishermen.

There are no concentrated fishing villages in the Kolhapur district as are found in the coastal district. The survey conducted by the department in 1955 reveals that there are 825 houses of fishermen scattered in 63 villages mostly on the banks of the rivers and their tributaries. The total population of fishermen is 5,775, out of which 993 are actively engaged in fishing. As fishing does not provide full-time job fishermen are obliged to work as field labourers and masons. All fishermen are Hindus and belong to three different sub-castes namely Bhoi, Bagdi and Koli. Monday is observed as sabbath day when no fishing is done. Fishermen after catching the fish prefer to sell it in the local markets if the catch is large. Otherwise, fisherwomen and old men hawk the fish from door to door. Although fishcuring is not undertaken, considerable quantity of salted fish is imported into the district for local consumption from the Ratnagiri district.

Co-operative societies.

There is only one co-operative society of Bhoi fisherman of Kolhapur entitled the "Bhoiraj Fisheries Co-operative Society Ltd. "The society obtains from the Fisheries Department fishing rights of tanks and lakes and portions of rivers in the district on concessional rental annually to provide gainful employment to its members."

Fresh water fisheries, particularly stocking of carp fry in inland waters and operation of deep tank fishing, provide ample scope for development in Kolhapur district. The Department of Fisheries, Bombay, extended its activities to Kolhapur and opened a sub-office at Kolhapur in 1951 to find a local source of supply of fish seed. Survey of sheets of water near Kolhapur indicated availability of fry of Labeo fimbriatus, locally known as " Tambir", in large quantity. The young ones (fry) are collected during monsoon and are reared in special nurseries. After they attain 4" to 6" size they are liberated in ponds and lakes. Although "Tambir" is found in plenty in the district, culture of this fish alone in ponds and tanks is not profitable on account of its comparative slow growth. Fry of quick growing varieties of carps such as Catla, Rohu and Mrigal, are, therefore, annually imported in large quantities from Calcutta and after rearing them to 4" to 6" size, they are released in ponds and lakes. This is being done with a view to enriching the fisheries of the district so that more and more nutritious food may be available to people and fishermen may have gainful employment.

Schemes included in the Second Five years Plan for the development of fisheries.

In addition to the above, the following schemes have been undertaken during the Second Five-Year Plan in the Kolhapur district.

Scheme for stocking of inland waters with carp fry.

Under this scheme fresh water sheets in the district will be stocked with rapidly growing varieties of carp fry specially imported from Calcutta. The scheme already formed a part of the 1st Five Year Plan and is continued in the 2nd Five Year Plan. The total targets set out for the district during the second plan period are as under: -

(i) Stocking of carp fry in Nos.-1,37,500.

(ii) Acres of water sheets to be surveyed-14,000.

(iii) Fish to be netted in lbs.-76,000.

Facilities for preservation marketing and transport.

Under this scheme, one deep freezer is allotted to one of the fishermen's co-operative societies in the district for the purpose of preservation of unsold stock of fish. The deep freezer is allotted on the basis of 1/3 subsidy and 2/3 loan. Besides Government bear half the rental of the stall for first six months. The cost of the freezer is estimated at Rs. 4,500.

Development of Fisheries in deep tanks.

This scheme is envisaged to stock extensive irrigation reservoirs in the district with the fingerlings of the carp fry imported from Calcutta. The programme during the second plan period is as under: -

(1) Stocking of fish-(in number) 1,58,000

(2) Netting of fish- (in lbs.) 1,87,500.

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