Fish and River Ecosystems of India

Author : Rinkesh, Zaheer Abass, Durgesh Kumar Verma
Pages : 198
Year of Publication : 2026
Language : English
Binding : Hardback
This book offers a rigorous, India-centric guide to conserving endangered fishes across riverine ecosystems. Beginning with an introduction to the Indian river system and the ecological characteristics that shape flow, habitat mosaics, and connectivity, it explains the ecological roles of fishes—as bioindicators, nutrient cyclers, and keystone links—within lotic food webs. Dedicated chapters analyze human pressures (dams, sand mining, pollution, invasive species, overfishing) and synthesize emerging evidence on climate-change impacts on hydrology, temperature regimes, migration cues, and species distributions. Bridging science and practice, the volume maps India’s major river basins and their fish diversity, highlights Ramsar sites and biodiversity hotspots, and interprets how these designations contribute to global conservation outcomes. It demystifies legislation and policy frameworks—from protected-area instruments to environmental flow standards—translating compliance requirements into field actions. Community knowledge is woven throughout, showing how indigenous practices, seasonal calendars, and customary norms can strengthen co-management and restoration outcomes. The book closes with future directions that integrate robust science, policy reform, finance, and community stewardship, supported by case studies of river-habitat restoration and species-recovery successes. Key Features India-focused river ecology with global framing Threat diagnostics linked to actionable mitigation Policy and compliance translated for practitioners Indigenous knowledge integrated with modern science Restoration case studies and monitoring templates Forward-looking roadmap for basin-scale governance