Hilsa spotted in Ganga near Ghazipur in UP, decades after barrage cut off migration route

In a promising sign for river ecology, scientists have observed hilsa fish in the Ganga River near Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. This sighting marks the first time the species has been seen in the upper and middle stretches of the river in decades, potentially indicating that the water quality has improved sufficiently to support them.

A senior official from Namami Gange in Ghazipur confirmed the sighting, noting that locals also reported spotting more hilsa in nearby villages. Officials at the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) also corroborated the finding. The two fish observed weighed a combined 740 grams.

The significance of this discovery lies not just in the number of fish, but in their location. Ghazipur is situated well upstream of the Farakka Barrage in West Bengal. This barrage, operational since 1975, had previously obstructed the natural migration patterns of hilsa, which travel from the sea into freshwater rivers to breed. Historical records show hilsa once traveled as far upstream as Prayagraj.

Hilsa are considered an important indicator of river health. Their presence depends on a complex interplay of factors, including adequate water flow, sufficient dissolved oxygen, appropriate temperatures, and accessible breeding grounds. The disruption caused by the Farakka Barrage, along with pollution and habitat degradation, had led to the species' disappearance from large parts of the Ganga.

This sighting occurs amidst ongoing efforts to revive the hilsa population. In January, the National Green Tribunal directed states along the Yamuna River to prioritize restoring native fish populations. These efforts align with recommendations from ICAR-CIFRI aimed at improving river ecosystems.

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Some more hilsas were reportedly spotted by the locals in two more riverine villages on Saturday. However, their details have not yet come to the district headquarters.