Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 3: Undivided district nestles in the shadow of the Western Ghats. It boasts of over 10 rivers and numerous rivulets. Almost all of them flow near well-known places of worship, move westwards and join the Arabian sea. The Western Ghats and the rivers are home to some very rare kinds of biodiversities. A total of 10 spots in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district have been identified as 'Matsyadhamas (fish sanctuary)'. Four among them have also received official recognition.

Shishila in Dakshina Kanada (River Kapila), a spot near Mallikarjuna temple in Aranthodu village (Chandragiri river), Bachchanayakana Gundi in Yenekallu village (Kallaje rivulet) and Tingale in Udulpi (River Sita) have already been identified officially as fish sanctuaries.

Representative image

Other six spots which have been chosen as home to rare fish breeds but order about which have not been issued are Dharmasthala bathing bay (Netravati), Kelyaru (Falguni), Marakatha (Yenekallu rivulet), Nakooru Gaya (Kumaradhara), Uppukala (Kallaje rivulet) and a spot near Hebri (River Sita).

The government has been approached for facilities like a platform for feeding the fish, provision of grill etc but they have not been approved. The government has not been releasing any separate grants, and the department has to adjust funds from other grants.

All types of fishing are barred for a radius of 4 km from these fish sanctuaries. As most of the areas are located near the temples, Garody etc, the fishes that are on the verge of extinction are expected to get better protection. Minister, S Angara, feels that a rare variety of fishes can be saved if temples create a separate facility for breeding and protecting them.