Integrated Evaluation of Water Quality and Edible Fish Biodiversity for Sustainable Fisheries Management in Pilibhit, U.P., India

The Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh, located in the fertile terai region, is rich in freshwater sources which include the Sharda River, Sharda Sagar Dam, Deoha Reservoir, as well as the origin of the Gomati River. These water bodies are integral to irrigation, drinking water supply, fisheries, and biodiversity. The district's rivers, wetlands, and reservoirs offer conducive conditions for fish farming and preserving water resources. Nevertheless, the construction of dams and irrigation systems radically changes the natural hydrological patterns, water quality, and fish population dynamics. This study attempts to assess the analysis of water quality parameters and determinants of water dynamics of fish populations found in selected sites including the Sharda River, Sharda Sagar Dam, along with some other water resources in Pilibhit. The physicochemical properties of water -- temperature, pH, DO, BOD, TDS, COD -- were evaluated to study its suitability for aquatic life. Seasonal distributions were observed, indicating that water quality depends on temperature and rainfall patterns and hence directly affected fish richness and distribution. Some commercially vital fishes namely, the fish species Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, Channa punctatus and some other catfish species were observed with different density in the survey facilities. Maximum fish abundance was recorded at post-winter level and minimum was observed under monsoon seasons where turbidity was high and oxygen saturations were low. Sustainable water and dam hydrology, controlled dam discharge, controlled release of floodwaters and wetlands conservation are vital for preserving fish population dynamics and for ensuring a healthy condition of habitat in Pilibhit, the study concludes.