TERRESTRIAL PROTECTED AREAS AND MANAGED REACHES CONSERVE THREATENED FRESHWATER FISH IN UTTARAKHAND, INDIA

Terrestrial protected areas and river reaches managed by local stakeholders can act as management tools
for biodiversity conservation. These areas have the potential to safeguard fish species from stressors such as
over-fishing, habitat degradation and fragmentation, and pollution. To test this idea, we conducted an
evaluation of the potential for managed and unmanaged river reaches, to conserve threatened freshwater
fish species. The evaluation involved sampling fish diversity at 62 sites in major rivers in Uttarakhand,
India (Kosi, Ramganga and Khoh rivers) both within protected (i.e. sites within Corbett and Rajaji Tiger
Reserves and within managed reaches), and unprotected areas (i.e. sites outside tiger reserves and outside
managed reaches). In total, 35 fish species were collected from all sites, including two mahseer (Tor)
species. Protected areas had larger individual fish when compared to individuals collected outside of
protected areas. Among all sites, lower levels of habitat degradation were found inside protected areas. Non
-protected sites showed higher impacts to water quality (mean threat score: 4.3/5.0), illegal fishing
(4.3/5.0), diversion of water flows (4.5/5.0), clearing of riparian vegetation (3.8/5.0), and sand and boulder
mining (4.0/5.0) than in protected sites. This study supports the importance of existing terrestrial protected
areas and managed sites for conserving threatened fish and preventing harmful activities.