Ecology and Conservation of Mahseer Fish in Northeast India: Challenges and Solutions for Fisheries Science

Abstract

The freshwater ecosystems of Northeast India contain Mahseer fish (Tor species) as their essential biological components which sustain biodiversity and provide fisheries benefits and generate local income. Habitat destruction and overfishing together with pollution and climate change consequences have severely depleted their populations. This research investigates Mahseer's ecological value and determines their survival threats by developing conservation solutions that unite habitat improvement with sustainable fishing practices and community collaboration, as well as regulatory measures. The main goal is to assess Mahseer species conservation levels across Northeast India while developing scientific and policy-based strategies to protect these species for future generations. Literature reviews and field data collection methods with stakeholder interviews serve this study to assess threats against Mahseer populations and develop suitable solutions for conservation. Research confirms habitat fragmentation from dam building, joined by uncontrolled fishing and hydrological changes caused by climate change, remains the principal threat. Research indicates that Mahseer conservation will benefit from the combination of creating sanctuaries along with catch-and-release practices and knowledge exchange with traditional communities and breeding program development. Research demonstrates that scientists together with policymakers and local communities should prioritize working alongside one another for developing sustainable conservation plans. The future survival of Mahseer in Northeast India depends heavily on improved legal controls and more money for conservation efforts as well as climate-adapted conservation techniques.