The Eastern Himalaya which comprises of Southern, Central and Eastern
Nepal, Bhutan, Northern part of West Bengal, Sikkim and North Eastern India
has two large hotspots: the Indo-Burma and the Himalaya Hotspots and
encompassing six freshwater Ecoregions; the Ganga Delta and Plain, Ganga
Himalayan Foothills, Upper Brahmaputra, Middle Brahmaputra, Chin Hills-Arakan
Coast and the Sittaung-Irrawaddy and a total 426 fresh water fish species were
reported from this Eastern Himalayan region. This means that the region contains
exceptional levels of plant endemism (at least 1,500 endemic species) and has lost
70% or more of its original habitat. The Eastern Himalaya with its rich biodiversity
is under immediate threat of species extinction and habitat destruction due to
tremendous pressure from demotechnic growth and natural environmental changes.
This book entitled “Freshwater Fishes of Eastern Himalaya” provides a
clear image of the fishes with correct nomenclature, common names, local names,
systematic position, distribution and economic importance. Any fish lover or student
can easily identify the freshwater fishes of Eastern Himalaya with the help of this
book. The book describes 207 species which belongs to 87 genera and 12 orders.
The ornamental fishes are dominant over the food fishes.
Surveys were conducted and fishes were collected using different types of
local gears. A few specimens were also collected from local markets near the
rivers or streams.