FISH DIVERSITY AND SPECIES COMPOSITION IN DIFFERENT HABITATS IN THE 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD ORDER STREAMS OF KYUNJA GAD FROM GARHWAL HIMALAYA, INDIA

Present study has been conducted on spring-fed hill stream Kyunja from Rudraprayag District, Uttarakhand, India. In this work author proposed one novel approach viz., stream order wise study of distribution and diversity of fish fauna from Garhwal Himalaya, India. A Total 18 fish species (2 species in 1st order, 10 in 2nd and 16 in 3rd order stream) were recorded from Kyunja gad stream. The fish biodiversity recorded belongs to 4 families, 7 genera and 18 species. On the basis of economic importance fishes were divided into three groups, viz. major groups, minor groups and other groups. The hill spring fed stream was divided into 3 zones viz. 2 Rhithron and 1 Potamon zone for fish catch. The lower stretch (3rd order stream) was more diverse and productive and showed fish productivity of 34 CPPs (Calculated productivity points system- 16 fish species). The middle stretch (2nd order stream) showed productivity of 21 CPPs (10 fish species). The upper stretch (1st order stream) had lowest diversity and productive with fish productivity of 06 CPPs (02 fish species).