Jammu and Kashmir: Alarm bells ring among scientists, authorities after Alligator Gar Fish found in Dal Lake
The ray-finned euryhaline fish having a mouth like that of an alligator was caught during a deweeding operation in the famous lake
Representational image
In a major threat to the native fish species, the discovery of a carnivorous Alligator Gar fish in Kashmir’s famous Dal Lake has set the alarm bells ringing among scientists and authorities.
The ray-finned euryhaline fish having a mouth like that of an alligator was caught during a deweeding operation in the famous lake.
“This is an Alligator Gar fish which is normally found in North America and some parts of India like Bhopal upper lake and Kerala backwaters. Being a predator fish and a carnivore, it poses a threat to native species of Dal Lake,” Dr Shafeeqa Peer, a scientist at the Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) told PTI.
Related Articles
Peer said it was a matter of concern as to how this fish has invaded the water system of Kashmir. “What will be the fate of our native fishes? In certain places like Bhopal, it has been banned as it thrives on other small fishes. It poses a threat to other species and we have not yet come across this type of species here,” she added.
The LCMA has now collaborated with the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries division of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) to look for any other Alligator Gar fish in the lake, informed the scientist.
“We will launch a massive hunt to ascertain whether it is just one fish, is it accidental or somebody has played mischief? There are a lot of questions, especially from the ecology and biodiversity point of view,” Peer said.
(With inputs from PTI)
Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,
India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
also read
Jammu and Kashmir: Three soldiers hospitalised after Indian Army chopper crashes in Kishtwar
Three soldiers – including two pilots and a technician - were reportedly on board when the aircraft went down
Jammu and Kashmir: Two Pak intruders apprehended along LoC in Poonch
Officials informed that Sardar Abdul Hamid and his son Abbass of Polas village were nabbed by the troops in Gulpur sector shortly after they intruded into this side from across the border
'Harping on old tunes': BJP dismisses concerns about Pakistan crisis spillover in J&K
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti had said that the situation in Pakistan will have a 'dangerous' impact on the entire country