Mahaseer Conservation

The valvan dam of Tata Hydro power project is a dam built on Indrayani river, Near lonavala. The visit to this dam was for primarily 2 reasons,

1. Mahaseer Fish conservation
2. A very nice manicured park of herbs, plants

Mahaseer fish (Tor genes) is a large fish which weighs about 26 kg and grows about 9 feets in adults. This fish is a freshwater fish which sustains very well against high stream of water currents and thus called as Tiger of waters.  It is also popularly known to be a game fish for anglers across the world as well as highly esteemed food fish.

Mahaseer is a very good bio-indicator of fresh water in water bodies as it sustains only in freshwater.

The reason for the conservation of the Mahaseer is mainly due to its decline in population as it is listed as one of the endangered species. The decline is due to biological factors such as long hatching period but also due to habitat destruction, the pollutants are increasing day by day in rivers hampering fertility of these species to reproduce and sustain.

Tata company has set up a breeding centre at Lonavla, Mumbai. It is the only facility till date which breeds and supplies fingerlings to various states.

Below are some of the photos taken at the breeding center. Thanks to Vishwasrao sir for their major efforts in conservation of the Mahaseer.

Mr. Vishwasrao Sir explaining hatcheries of Mahaseer fish

Mahaseer fish tiny fingerlings