| Sanction Date: | 09.08.2024 | |||
| Project Category | MG | |||
| Year | 2024-2025 | |||
| Project Duration | 3 Year | |||
| BTA : | Biodiversity Conservation and Management | |||
| Project Site/ State/ Districts/ Villages Covered: |
Darjeeling Hill Region, West Bengal |
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| Organization/ Implementation Agency: | University of Calcutta, Kolkata-700019, West Bengal | |||
| Project Partners: | S.No. | Name | ||
| 1 | SaathiBhai Care Foundation, 22/A S.S Road, Post Office Kurseong-734203, Darjeeling, West Bengal | |||
| Lead Proponent: | Dr. Rakesh Tamang
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| Project Brief Description: | The Darjeeling Himalayan Region (DHR) comprises hilly areas of the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts in the state of West Bengal, India. Being an integral part of the Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot, it harbors a diversity of flora and fauna. Numerous freshwater streams and rivers in this region sustain a diverse ecosystem. Apart from sustaining the freshwater ecosystem, it also plays an important role in sustaining the livelihood of locals in the form of tourist attractions, drinking water sources, and food resources. Many freshwater fish species are found in this region including loaches like Schistura spp. (Schistura multifasciata, Schistura denisoni, Schistura reticulate, etc.). It is an omnivore, benthic fish of peaceful nocturnal nature with beautiful coloration, bands, and barbles. Ornamental fish farming is rapidly gaining popularity among the local people of DHR. So, research and development on their domestication as aquarium fish with artificial propagation require special attention which may enable steady market supply. The loach species are ecologically and commercially important freshwater fish, and the studies encompassing them are very scarce. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand its ecosystem, genetic diversity, and its potential as aquarium fish. Thus, we propose to study the habitat of Schistura species, and its genetic diversity, and develop its standard rearing, breeding, and seed production protocols in captive conditions. We intend to undertake a holistic approach to understand the habitat, genetic structure, and economic potential of Schistura species before anthropogenic activities and climate change drastically threaten its existence in the freshwater bodies in the Darjeeling Hill Region in the Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspot. In this regard, this proposal targets the local community of DHR involving both male and female stakeholders. Utilizing the available natural fish resources of the locality, we propose feasible and detailed intervention strategies for the creation of sustainable livelihoods and employment opportunities through captive breeding and rearing of Schistura spp. | |||
| Beneficiaries/ Stakeholders: | The proposed study includes beneficiaries like farmers, local organizations, Schools, and colleges. Grassroots level NGOs, Forest and Environment departments, State Biodiversity boards, Universities, Research organizations, Fisheries departments, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The outcome targets the unemployed locals empowering them for a sustainable alternative economy through ornamental fish culture. |
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| Activity Chart (For 3 years) | ||||
| Total Grants (in Rs.) | Rs. 98,70,000 (Rupees: Ninety Eight Lakh Seventy Thousand Only) | |||
| 1st Installment (in Rs.) : | Rs. 46,90,000 (Rupees: Forty six lakh ninety thousand only) | |||
| Project Objectives | Quantifiable Deliverables | Monitoring Indicators |
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• Assessment of Loach Habitat Characterization. • To assess and document the Schistura loach diversity in the Darjeeling HR using morphological and genetic approaches. • To delineate the breeding strategies of different Schistura spp. for domestication and seed production in captivity. |
• Up-to-date 'Knowledge Database' development related to the diversity of Schistura spp. in Darjeeling Himalayan Region (DHR). • Preparation of Dossiers related to captive rearing procedures of Schistura spp. • Economic development of the locals through aqua-farming of commercially important ornamental loach Schistura spp. • Training & capacity-building process for the local stakeholders. Knowledge products and research publications (05 Nos.). |
• No. of Datasets/ Database (Nos.); • No. of Assessment/ Analytical/ Strategic Reports (Nos.); • No. of Technical/ Technological Manuals (Nos.); • Stakeholders capacity built: Trainings and Workshops along with beneficiaries (Nos.); • No. of Knowledge Products: Research articles, Book Chapters, Popular articles, etc. (Nos.); |
| S.No. | Name (Sanctioned) | Salary (Sanctioned) |
| 1. | 3 Field Assistant | @15,000/ pm |
| S.No. | Name of Equipment (Sanctioned) | Cost (in INR) |
| 1. | Advance nano spectrophotometer (L15210)-Rs.500000, Gel Imaging System with image lab touch software (BioRad-12009077)- Rs.775000, Automated microplate ELISA Reader (Erba make)- Rs.250000, Eppendorf Refrigerated centrifuge (5406000119)- Rs.475000, Waterproof Cyberscan Multiparameter portable meter- Rs.275000, GPS (Garmin make)- Rs.25000 | 23,00,000/- |
