NGT directs Delhi, riparian states to act on Yamuna fish conservation

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Delhi government and other states along the Yamuna to urgently implement the recommendations of the Central Inland Fisheries Research Centre (CIFRI) to preserve native fish species . The move follows a survey which showed a decline in indigenous species such as Catla, Rohu, Nayan, Padin, Gonch, Chital, Rengan, Reetha, Bamchar (Eel), and Mahasheer, while populations of exotic species like Common Carp, Silver Carp, Big Head, Thai Mangur, Grass Carp, Tilapia, Crocodile Fish, and Bass have increased, upsetting the river’s ecological balance.

The tribunal, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel , observed that river pollution was a key reason for the decline of native species and noted that existing conservation programmes had not been fully effective. It directed the Delhi Jal Board, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Central Pollution Control Board, and urban local bodies to accelerate the installation and operationalisation of sewage treatment plants to ensure treated water meets standards suitable for aquatic life.

The NGT asked state governments of Delhi, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to implement CIFRI’s recommendations, including prohibiting illegal fishing , enhanced monitoring during fishing bans, strategic ranching, stocking native fish in designated areas, maintaining catch records, banning the release of exotic species for rituals, and increasing public awareness. It also called for maintaining continuous water flow, regulating industrial and organic effluents, removing obstructions or constructing fish ladders at barrages to aid migration, and promoting native fish aquaculture while restricting invasive species.

Authorities including the MoEF&CC , fisheries departments , and research institutions were asked to release fingerlings of native species, establish Mahasheer and Indian carp hatcheries, declare biodiversity-rich stretches as fish conservation zones, and conduct scientific studies on species decline and ecological interactions. The tribunal emphasised strict penal action against those introducing exotic species illegally, disposing of the matter after ensuring compliance measures.