People for Animals Manipur stresses on dangers of over releasing farm fishes into the wild

IMPHAL, Oct 28
People for Animals Manipur has expressed disappointment over the release of one lakh Ayok Nga (farm reared fish) at Barak river while urging the authorities concerned to stop the initiative and instead consult the necessary experts before releasing more Ayok Nga at the rivers.
A press release issued by the managing trustee, People for Animals Manipur stated that the forefathers had differentiated Ayok Nga and Turel Nga (wild fish) for a reason and releasing farm reared fish to the rivers is not a positive initiative.
It maintained that fishes which are available at high lands like the hills and the low lands are different and added that  fishes found in higher lands are quite rare and limited.
On the other hand, many indigenous fish and other species including tortoise, crab, prawns etc are found in the rivers.
These indigenous fishes and other species are maintaining the right environmental balance in the rivers, it said and claimed that if the farm reared fish are released in the rivers, then the number of small organisms (zooplankton) and small floating plants, which they feed on, will decrease tremendously.
It further pointed out that the eggs of the indigenous fishes will be eaten by the newly released fishes as well.
People for Animals Manipur further maintained that there are some Ayok Nga present in the rivers but not to the extent of causing a threat to the eco-system or the natural balance.
On the other hand, in low lying areas, invasive species like the farm reared fishes along with the indigenous fishes and other species are surviving less as a result of exposure to different forms of pollution, it asserted.
People for Animals Manipur appealed to the people residing near rivers in the hilly areas to consult with the experts and initiate fish farms for the indigenous and rare fishes so as to create a source of livelihood.
It further appealed to halt the process of using poisonous plants to catch fish in the rivers.