Collateral damage: Western Ghats freshwater species in peril

More information on the project can be seen on IUCN's website.

Key recommendations / conclusions

• Taxonomic studies, inventories and monitoring of freshwater fauna and flora of the Western Ghats are urgently needed

• Many species are narrowly distributed within the Western Ghats, where destruction or alteration of a small catchment may lead to their extinction. Actions required include protection of key habitats, prevention of flow modifications where possible, conservation of specialized ecosystems such as Myristica swamps, prevention of agrochemical use in upper catchments, and regulation of tourism in critical habitats

• Improved enforcement of pollution laws is needed along with effective effluent treatment and better solid waste disposal protocols

• Investigations into the spread and impact of invasive alien fish and plant species are an immediate priority. A national policy on the introduction of alien species and their management is required

• Environmental impact assessment of development activities must be evaluated for their impacts to freshwater ecosystems

• Awareness programmes promoting better understanding of the values, sustainable use, and management of wetlands and rivers are crucial to eliminate public perception of wetlands as wastelands

• Given the rapid rate of development across the region, politicians, legislators and other relevant stakeholders must be given access to key biodiversity information for freshwater ecosystems and this should be integrated within decision-making and planning processes

• Legislation to protect species and habitats exists across the region, but implementation and enforcement need to be more effective. Threatened and endemic species of freshwater fish of biological and socio-economic importance should be included within the National Wildlife Protection Act

• Workshops involving local and regional stakeholders should be carried out to identify and prioritise a set of Freshwater Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) based on the potential KBAs identified in the current study. Management plans for these areas can then be implemented to benefit both the many dependant people and the rich biodiversity that these areas support.

Contact Details

Dr Sanjay Molur

Executive Director, Zoo Outreach Organisation (ZOO) Trust
Email: herpinvert@gmail.com t. +91 422 256 1087 m. +91 93676 19991

Kevin Smith

Freshwater Biodiversity Unit, Species Programme
IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature
Email: kevin.smith@iucn.org