IN SEARCH OF THE HUMPBACK MAHSEER" IN THE MOYAR RIVER

Transcription

1 IN SEARCH OF THE HUMPBACK MAHSEER" IN THE MOYAR RIVER A WASI Field Visit Report - January 12 th to 16 th

2 Introduction A background to the Moyar River. The Moyar River starts as the Pykara River originating in the Mukurthi peak and passing through hilly tracts, generally keeping to the north and turns to the west after reaching the Nilgiris plateau's edge. There are a number of falls formed by this river, and the last two falls of 55 meters and 61 meters respectively, are known as Pykara falls. After the Pykara falls, the river splits at Glenmorgan Dam, the release from the dam gates emptying into the main river and the overflow on the other side releasing into the stream that gets dammed at Masinagudi and then at Moyar Forbay dam before joining the main river at the gorge. After reaching Wayanad, this river turns eastward and falls near Theppakadu, off the Gudalur-Mysore road. From here, this river is known as the Moyar River and continues its journey towards the east where it is joined by the Sigur River. The Sigur River springs up from the Udhagamandalam slopes. Two streams the Malkod from Pykara Hill and the Billikallu halla from Billikal betta join to form this river. After a point it is joined by Sandy Nallah stream, flowing towards Kalhatti, which is about 9 km north-west of Udhagamandalam. Here it drops 52 m and forms a beautiful waterfall (Kalhatti waterfalls), after which it flows along the Sigur Ghats and finally joins the Moyar River. The Moyar joins the Bhavani River and ends at the Bhavanisagar dam. Pykara is the largest river in the Nilgiris District. It is of sacred value to the Toda community. Permissions: WASI had been granted a research permit and written permission by Dr. V.K. Melkani, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Chennai, Mr. I. Anwardeen, IFS, the Chief Conservator of Forests & Field Director, Erode, and Mr. P.G. Arun Lal, IFS, the District Forest Officer & Deputy Director, Sathyamangalam to conduct a survey/study on the humpback or orange-fin Mahseer in the Moyar River from Feb 2016 to Aug 2017 and the recce team chose the dates from to to conduct one of the trips while more trips will follow. The permissions were granted vide letter Ref. No. WL5(A)/002923/2016 dated 15/2/2016, Permit No. 19/2016. A copy of this letter is filed at the WASI office. It is of utmost importance to take the permissions from the DFO before departure. Focal area delineation - The Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve from Thengumarahada upstream (for the endemic species humpback or orange-fin Mahseer). 2

3 The Moyar River at Mangalapatti STF Camp. The suspension bridge to cross the river proved to be fun and tested your balancing skills as it rocked while crossing over. The Recce Team: The team comprised of: 1. Darryl Ross (Team Leader) 2. Deepak Pinto 3. Lionel De Nazareth 4. Alexis Jonathan Greenwood 5. J. Suresh Local assistance from Selvam the fisherman from Thengumarahada and STF Guard Mahesh. L to R Mahesh (STF Guard), Darryl, Deepak, Selvam, Lionel, Alexis, Suresh and STF Guard at the back. 3

4 Field Work & Sample Collection: Field work was conducted on January 12 th, 13th, 14 th and 15 th While we waited for Selvam to confirm with us on his availability we fished on the 12 th, 13 th & 14 th with the escort of the Forest dept personal and the STF Guard Mahesh. The recce team fished about 2.5 km upstream of the STF Camp on Jan 12 th and 13 th. We used spinning and dead bait techniques. We were told by Selvam that the Orange-fin/Humpbacked Mahseer can only be found in 3 pools upstream of the Managapatti STF Camp this time of the year. We spoke about the gear to carry and decided to keep it light to a bare minimum, hence, only fishing tackle, water and food to be carried for the long hikes. Although Alexis was carrying a Digital SLR camera, we decided against carrying it due to the weight and distance we were going to walk. We were informed that the terrain is very rough and we may encounter elephants. Pool-1 : Therkuzhi 5 km from camp Pool-2 : Velimeenkadavu 8 km from camp Pool-3 : Perimbu kadavu 15 km from camp We decided to fish just above camp on the 13 th, then Therkuzhi on the 14 th and Velimeenkadavu on the 15 th. Jan 13 th Around camp We started the day by driving to Thengumarahada to pick up Selvam only to be told he can t come. We had breakfast at the local hotel and then decided to try out some pools we earmarked on the way back. But as we tackled up and approached the river we encountered Elephants, so we left the spot and went back to camp. We walked upstream of the camp fishing the small pools and rapids. We walked about 2.5 km upstream. Darryl and I focused on the spinning while Deepak and Lionel tried Ragi balls and dead bait. We caught a lot of Carnatic carp (Barbodes carnaticus) on Mepps & Dicky Khan Spinners and some small plugs. We called it a day late afternoon and walked back to camp. Post lunch, Darryl, Deepak and Suresh drove to Thengumarahada to pick up Selvam while Lionel and Alexis decided to setup a camera trap downstream of the camp. As we walked through the bush we encountered a family of elephants that had been camping there for a few days. We retreated and some of the camp staff decided to accompany us. They were gone this time as we walked a little further and set up the camera trap. We spotted 2 crocodiles basking on the rocks in the middle of the river but slithered away as we disturbed their space as a result of camera trapping. Later at dinner that night we decided on walking to Therkuzhi the next morning. An early start was required. Jan 14 th Therkuzhi : On the 14 th we left camp at 7 and walked up to Therkuzhi the 1 st pool considered to have the Orangefin/Humped back Mahseer. We were lead by Mahesh an armed STF guard. The 5km walk from camp 4

5 took us 1 hour as we decided to stay away from the river bank as it would be faster and enable us to avoid elephants. As we approached the pool we were greeted to the sight of Orange-fin Mahseer congregated at the surface of the pool. As we cautiously approached and spinners were cast across Darryl hooked one fish. The fish was landed and samples of a scale and tail fin taken quickly along with a few pictures on our mobile phones. After this catch there fishing died down and only a few Carnatic carp (Barbodes carnaticus) and an Olive barb (Systomus sarana/subnasutus) were caught. As there was no further catch, Suresh and Alexis walked upstream for about 1 km checking out the pools that appeared shallow at this time of the year. These pools would be worth a visit post monsoon when the water levels are high. Around 3pm we decided to walk back to camp. We heard several alarm calls from Chital, Sambhar and Langurs but spotted no chugrrrvjrtats. As we closed in on camp, we walked along the river bank. We spotted a Monitor lizard clamped to a mathi tree, then a Mugger crocodile and a gaur opposite camp. After tackling down, we decided to bathe in the cool refreshing waters of the river while the fish nibbled at our toes. Jan 15 th (Velimeenkadavu) We started from camp at 7 am again and reached Velimeen by 9am. Again, we were welcomed to the spot with the distinct sight of Orange-fin Mahseer along with Carnatic Carp scattered all over the river. The pool is about 30 ft across at it broadest part and about 100 ft in length. Darryl stood far back on the river bank and cast across while Alexis sneaked up behind the trunk of a tree and cast below. Again, Darryl was hooked into a fish and landed it pretty fast. A fine specimen of around 2 kg. Two Mahseer were caught on spinners and one on bait by Deepak. Samples, pictures and measurements were taken quickly. As we tried different lures, we observed several large fish close to the bottom that just watched our lures go past but didn t bite. They were estimated to be between 3-4 feet in length and had distinct Orange fins. We switched over to dead bait and caught a couple of Niligiri Mystus (Hemibagrus punctatus) on this bait. Selvam, Suresh and Alexis walked upstream catching fish with the cast net but no Orange fin were caught with this method. We only caught Carnatic carp in the castnet upstream of Velimeen. Post lunch we gave one last try with lures and artificial baits after which we let Selvam catch fish using the cast net in the big pool. Selvam caught many species of fish as listed below. List of Fish caught over 4 days of fishing: The colour codes against each fish caught shows where they were caught on the map. 1. Orange-fin Mahseer 2. Blue-fin Mahseer (Tor khudree) 3. Carnatic Carp (Barbodes carnaticus) 4. Olive Barb (Systomus sarana/subnasutus ) 5

6 5. Niligiri mystus (Hemibagrus punctatus) 6. Niligiri Barb, kozhi arinjan kendai (Hypselobarbus dubius) 7. Labeo nigrescens 8. Kallukuri (Garra stenorhynchus) 9. Pigmouth Carp Hypselobarbus micropogon 10. Chinnakannu Tamil name 11. Chilwa (Salmophasia boopis) 12. Labeo reba? The trekking route from Camp to Therkuzhi-Velimeenkadavu and back. The markers indicate where the fish were caught. Green Velimeenkadavu Purple Therkuzhi Yellow 2.5 km from camp near Karnataka Border Red Around Camp pool 6

7 Pictures of the Fish caught at Therkuzhi 1 st Orange fin Mahseer caught Sample collection 7

8 Olive Barb (Systomus sarana/subnasutus) caught on paste bait at Therkuzhi 8

9 Fish caught at Velimeenkadavu The Orange-fin Mahseer The Blue-fin Mahseer(Tor khudree) 9

10 Carnatic Carp(Barbodes carnaticus) Niligiri mystus (Hemibagrus punctatus) 10

11 Niligiri Barb (Hypselobarbus dubius) Kallukuri (Garra stenorhynchus) 11

12 Information from Selvam: As per the fisherman Selvam, every year in the month of March, people from the villages surrounding the Moyar river descend on to the banks of this river on their way to the Maasi Temple (Maasi kovil) (Coordinates: 11 34'23"N 76 48'25"E). They stay on the banks of the river for a few weeks and set up stalls. While they spend their time there, they apparently net and dynamite the river to catch fish. Because the number of people visiting this temple is estimated to be around one lakh, we re told the authorities can t do much about it. On Google maps - In addition to the above notes, Selvam also mentioned that the Mahseer can be found in the entire stretch of the river after the monsoons when the water levels rise by 6-8 feet. During this season, Mahseer can be caught all the way downstream to Bhavani Sagar dam where the Moyar joins the Bhavani River. River Mapping: While we were fishing, Lionel used a fish finder to check the depth of the river and the structure around the river bed. Here s a mapping of the deep pool at Velimeenkadavu. It is interesting to note that the depth changes dramatically for a pool that is not very large or broad. Most of the bigger orange-fin Mahseer observed were at the bottom of the river in the deep stretch which appeared to be the main channel. We could notice this as the water was crystal clear and visibility was several feet. 12

13 Our Observations: 1. While we saw a lot of Carnatic carp (Barbodes carnaticus) throughout the river stretch, Mahseer were congregated in the 2 deeper pools, Thezkuzi and Velimeenkadavu 2. Not a single catch of Snakehead (Murrel) although we were told they are there. We didn t see a single rise of snakehead either. The waters looked perfect for Snakehead 3. We were lucky to observe that there were no Invasive species like Tilapia or African Catfish in these waters. They can be found downstream in the Bhavani stretch. 4. The critically endangered Niligiris Mystus (Hemibagrus punctatus) are in a fairly good number in this stretch. Source - Next Steps & Recommendations for Mahseer and other species. Samples collected at Therkuzhi and Velimeenkadavu have been sent to Rajeev Raghavan for identification. 1. Catch more Orange-fin Mahseer at these locations through the year and understand their breeding cycle and migration patterns. 2. Establish the existence of the Tor Khudree / or new phenotype through the genetic samples collected at Velimeenkadavu. 3. Establish a complete list of fish species in the Moyar River. 4. With new gadgets and technologies available, the river can be mapped as well as video footage can be got from the deeper pools to understand the fish movements both during high water and low water seasons. Wildlife Sightings: 1. Common Langur (Semipithecus entellus) 2. Jungle Cat ( Felis chaus) 3. Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) 4. Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus) 5. Gaur (Bos gaurus) 6. Blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra) 7. Sambar (Cervus unicolor) 8. Spotted Deer (Axis axis) 13

14 9. Indian Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) 10. Indian Hare (Lepus nigricollis) 11. Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) 12. Painted Sand Grouse (Pterocles Indicus) 13. Brown Fish Owl (Bubo zeylonensis) 14. Forest Eagle Owl (Bubo nipalensis) 15. Grey-headed Fish Eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus) 16. Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Elephants on the other bank while trekking. The carcass of a dead Elephant. 14

15 A mugger Crocodile basks on the rock in the middle of the river downstream of camp. A Blackbuck 15

16 Epilogue and Thanks We hope that the above information helps the teams visiting these restricted areas in the future to understand the terrain and the type of waters they will be fishing. We would like to thank WASI for giving us the opportunity to volunteer for this research project. While we were able to catch 2 orange-fin or humpback Mahseer, we would request for more opportunities to fish this river thoroughly and also enjoy the trek through such pristine forests and a restricted areas of our country. Special thanks to Sandeep Chakrabarti, whom without, this recce would not have been possible in the first place. Thanks for all the coordination and all the help to see that permissions and logistics were in order and that we would not have any issue while on the trip. We would especially like to also thank Shankar Jiwal IPS, DIG, STF for providing us with a very comfortable stay at the Mangalapatti STF Camp along with all the assistance provided at the camp from the STF staff. Last, and not the least, we would like to thank J. Suresh, for accompanying us and making sure the whole trip went on smoothly. Best Regards, Alexis greenwood, Lionel De Nazareth, Deepak Pinto & Darryl Ross 16