ICHTHYOFAUNAL DIVERSITY OF THE BETWA RIVER IN BUNDELKHAND

The Betwa River is one of the major river systems of the Bundelkhand region of central India and an important tributary of the Yamuna. It supports a diverse freshwater fish community that contributes substantially to local fisheries, food security and aquatic ecosystem functioning. The present paper reviews and synthesizes available information on the ichthyofaunal diversity, ecological characteristics, threats and conservation requirements of the Betwa River, with particular emphasis on the Bundelkhand region. Earlier investigations have documented substantial variation in the number of fish species, depending on the period, sampling locations and methodology employed. A long-term study conducted during 2020–2025 recorded 80 fish species belonging to 54 genera, 23 families and 10 orders from the Betwa River. Of these, 79 species were native and two-Cyprinus carpio and Oreochromis niloticus-were exotic. Cyprinidae was the dominant family, represented by 35 species. Osteobrama cotio was the most abundant species in the study. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index for Betwa was reported as 3.66, with an evenness value of 0.835. Other studies have recorded lower richness at particular stretches, demonstrating considerable spatial and temporal variation in fish assemblages. Deep pools constitute important refugia during the dry season and support native and threatened fish populations. Major pressures include flow regulation, dams and barrages, overfishing, bank disturbance, agricultural activities, declining water availability and deterioration of water quality. Conservation should therefore focus on maintaining environmental flows, protecting deep pools and breeding habitats, controlling destructive fishing practices, monitoring water quality and conserving native fish genetic resources. The Betwa River should be regarded as a significant aquatic biodiversity resource of Bundelkhand requiring integrated river-basin management.