GARRA LAISHRAMI

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Context

• Researchers from Central University of Odisha and Zoological Survey of India have found a rare freshwater fish in the Koraput district.
• The species was named after Dr Laishram Kosygin of the ZSI to honour his remarkable contributions to understanding the taxonomy of Indian freshwater fishes.

Details

About the fish

• The cyprinid fish species which can be consumed have been seen so far in Kolab river, one of the major tributaries of Godavari.
• Garra Laishrami has been found so far in Kolab river only.
• The maximum length of the fish is 76 mm to 95.5 mm.
• The species is edible and local people consume it.
• The fish is usually found under rocks, stones and boulders of torrential streams and rivers.  

About the Garra fish

• Garra is a genus of fish in the family Cyprinidae.
• These fish are one example of the "log suckers", sucker-mouthed barbs and other cyprinids commonly kept in aquaria to keep down algae.
• The majority of the more than 140 species of garras are native to Asia, but about one-fifth of the species are from Africa (East, Middle and West, but by far the highest species richness in Ethiopia).
• Fishes of genus Garra are characterised by the presence of a gular disc developed from tissues of the gular region that exhibit variation in the size, shape, and arrangement of the snout tubercles.
• These groups of fishes are generally distributed from Borneo, southern China and southern Asia through Middle East Asia, Arabian Peninsula and East Africa to West Africa.

About the river

• Kolab River is one of the major rivers of Odisha, India.
• Its source is at Sinkaran hills of eastern Ghats in Koraput district.
• The reservoir is popularly known as kolab river.
• It is a major reservoir for irrigation project and electricity powerhouse.

Hydrography of Odisha

Rivers: Bhargavi, Baitarani, Brahmani, Budhabalanga, DayaDevi, DhamraIb, Indravati, Kadua, Kharkai, Kuakhai, Koina, Kolab, Kushabhadra, Mahanadi, Malguni, Nagavali, Ong, Rushikulya, Sankh, South Karo, South Koel, Subarnarekha, Surubalijora, Tel, Telen, Vamsadhara

Lakes: Anshupa, Chilika, Kanjia, Tampara

Waterfalls:Badaghagara, Barehipani, Duduma, Dokarichanchara, Phurlijharan, Joranda, Khandadhar, Kendujhar, Khandadhar, Sundagarh, Koilighugar, Sanaghagara

Hot springs: Taptapani, Deulajhari, Atri, Tarabalo

Beaches: Chandipur, Gahirmatha, Gopalpur-on-Sea, Konark, Puri, Talsari

Dams: Deras, Hirakud, Mandira, Rengali, Upper Kolab

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2023/apr/16/cuo-researchers-find-rarefreshwater-species-in-kolab-river-in-odisha-2566425.html