Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora), also known as Tigers of the Rivers, is an endangered fish species found in rivers of Southern and Eastern Bhutan.
The fish is locally called sernya.
Today, the fish faces threats from developmental activities, climate change and illegal fishing, among others.
The Golden Mahseer Conservation Action Plan for Bhutan 2022-2032 identified illegal fishing, hydropower dam, and weak protection of spawning areas as the top three threats to golden mahseer conservation in the country.
The plan, prepared by the Nature Conservation Division under the forests and park services department, aims to conserve viable populations of golden mahseer and sustain its ecosystem.
The division has identified 12 threats to golden mahseer conservation in the country.
According to the plan, illegal fishing is rampant in all mahseer waters threatening its survival and its habitats.
The use of improvised electric shockers is found as the most common tool used to catch the fish in Bhutan.
Moreover, hydropower dams that disrupt the migratory routes of the fish; weak protection of spawning areas; pollution; dredging of river bed materials; river training; unauthorised fish feeding; sedimentation; irrigation weirs; and introduction of exotic fish species are identified as other threats to the fish’s survival.
“Climate change can affect patterns and timings of migration, and cause range shift and phenology of mahseers,” stated the action plan document.
The document has identified six broad challenges which hamper the conservation of the golden mahseer and its habitats.
The challenges recognised are limited resources and technical capacity, limited studies and data on the fish, and lack of adequate facilities and tailored programmes to promote high-end recreational fishing.