Nameri (eco-camp), May 24: Coal mining, industrialisation, oil projects and construction of big dams have affected biodiversity and wildlife, including wild mahseer, an endangered game fish, said Atul Borgohain, a faculty member of veterinary science under the Assam Agricultural University today.

The noted environmentalist and director of Wild Mahseer Hatchery project in Nameri eco-camp - along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in Sonitpur district, about 40km from here - said the dams coming up in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh should leave wild mahseer migration zones while implementing hydel projects.

Borgohain said this while addressing a programme to commemorate World Fish Migration Day.

"If neighbouring Bhutan can construct dams on their soil leaving the wild mahseer migration areas, why can't we do the same in Assam along the Arunachal Pradesh border? We cannot go for dams in the wild mahseer habitation areas," he said, addressing a session on importance of protective measures specially for endangered migratory fish species.

The programme was organised by Assam, (Bhorellie) Angling and Conservation Association on the Nameri eco-camp premises.

The director of Bhimtol Cold Water Fishery Research Institute, Debajit Sarma, said World Fish Migration Day is a daylong global event to highlight protection of migratory fish.

He said population of migratory fish, including salmon, sturgeon, giant catfish depend on ecologically important rivers. "Unfortunately, these essential lifelines are severely under threat from dams, frequent angling and pollution."

"Unless we become much more proactive in addressing the alarming pace of river flow disruption, we are likely to face devastating consequences," Sarma said.#

The daylong programme was attended by a host of dignitaries who later visited the hatchery in Nameri eco-camp and interacted with villagers on importance of conservation of migratory fish.