West Bengal’s prized hilsa has found a new home in the waters of Gujarat amid shifting environmental currents and favourable monsoon conditions, sparking an unprecedented catch in the Narmada river.
Changing environment, mainly during the monsoon when nutrient-rich water flows into the sea, is one of the reasons. Additionally, the ideal mixing of fresh and salt water in the estuary near Bharuch along the lower stretch of the Narmada has created perfect conditions for the fish to shift towards Gujarat. “We have never seen a seasonal catch like this in the Narmada. its rising presence in the Narmada river points to a shift linked to the river’s ecosystem, fishermen’s livelihoods, and sustainable fisheries management While hilsa holds national fish status in Bangladesh and stands as the state fish in West Bengal.
Finding such a high volume of hilsa right here at our doorstep in Bhadbhut has brought immense relief to our families and made all our hard work out on the water completely worth it,” said Ramesh Machhi, a fisherman from Bharuch.
However, over time, conditions such as the Farakka Barrage, increasing construction on rivers, changes in river depth, pollution, and climate change have affected the traditional migration and breeding areas of hilsa,” the experts noted.
“The Ganga-Hooghly river system of Bangladesh and West Bengal was previously among the primary breeding grounds for hilsa.
