Blue-finned Mahseer | 04 Jun 2021

Why in News

Recently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has moved Blue-finned Mahseer from Endangered to the Least Concern’ status on its Red List.

Key Points

  • About:
    • The Mahseer belongs to the genus Tor, of which there are several subspecies to be found in India and in other range countries in South Asia.
    • The Blue-finned Mahseer or Tor Khudree is one of the subspecies of the Mahseer.
  • Habitat:
    • Mainly found in the Mota Mola river east of Pune. This species is also found in other rivers of the Deccan Plateau.
    • The species is migratory; moving upstream during rains. It prefers clean, fast flowing and well oxygenated waters.
  • Threats:
    • Threatened by habitat manipulation, over harvesting and competition from other fish species.
  • Significance:
    • Freshwater Ecosystem Indicator:
      • It is very sensitive to dissolved oxygen levels, water temperature and sudden climatic changes. It just cannot bear pollution.
    • Cultural:
      • They have cultural and religious significance as well as they are protected in ‘temple sanctuaries’ across India.
  • Conservation Initiatives:
    • Tata Power (private company) is involved in conservation of the blue-finned for 50 years in Lonavala (near Pune), Maharashtra.
  • Protection status:
    • IUCN Red List: Least Concern

International Union for Conservation of Nature

  • About:
    • IUCN is a membership union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations.
    • Created in 1948, it is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. It is headquartered in Switzerland.
  • The Red List:
    • The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species.
    • It divides species into nine categories: Not Evaluated, Data Deficient, Least Concern, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Extinct in the Wild and Extinct.
    • It is recognized as the most authoritative guide to the status of biological diversity.

Source: IE