Now Reading: Hilsa reappears in Ganga at Ghazipur decades after vanishing
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Hilsa reappears in Ganga at Ghazipur decades after vanishing
Scientists have spotted two hilsa in the Ganga near Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh, decades after the fish vanished from the river's upper and middle stretches. The fish, together weighing 740g, were found…
The Story in Brief
Scientists have spotted two hilsa in the Ganga near Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh, decades after the fish vanished from the river's upper and middle stretches. The fish, together weighing 740g, were found earlier this week. A senior Namami Gange official confirmed the sighting, as did officials at the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI). Locals reportedly saw more hilsa in two riverine villages on Saturday, though details have not reached district headquarters.
The discovery is significant because Ghazipur is far upstream of the Farakka Barrage in West Bengal, which has blocked hilsa migration since 1975. The species once travelled as far as Prayagraj. Experts caution that two fish do not prove population recovery. Real restoration would require evidence of natural migration, spawning and survival over multiple life cycles, scientists said.
The Indian Opinion
Celebrating two fish as a comeback would be premature. The Ganga still faces flow changes, pollution and habitat loss. A single sighting does not reverse five decades of damage. The real test is whether these hilsa breed and complete life cycles upstream. Watch for tagged fish and spawning evidence in coming seasons. That will tell us if the river is healing or just hosting a lucky migrant.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
