*Corresponding author: Anoop K Dobriyal Department of Zoology, H N B Garhwal University (A Central University), ISSN: 0976-3031 Research Article SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND DIVERSITY OF FISHES IN DIFFERENT ECOLOGICAL SECTIONS OF SPRING- FED RIVER MANDAL FROM UTTARAKHAND, INDIA Sandhya Goswami and Anoop K Dobriyal* Department of Zoology, H N B Garhwal University (A Central University), B G R Campus Pauri Garhwal- 246001, Uttarakhand, India (First Author) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijrsr.2018.0912.2968 ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT The fish play an important role in the life of rural folk in Garhwal Himalaya as it is a cheaply available protein rich source. In the present communication an attempt has been made to study the spatial distribution, density and diversity of fishes in three different sections of river Mandal in Pauri Garhwal. The study was based on two spots in upper rhithon section, two spots on lower rhithron section and one spot in the lower potamon section. It was observed that the middle stretch (Lower rhithron zone) was more diverse and productive where fish productivity was 46 CPP at Spot no 3 (19 species) and 34 CPP at spot no 4 (13 species). Upper stretch of the river was less productive. The lowermost section has low diversity in term of taxon but the biomass production was maximum. Overall 20 taxa were observed wit the dominance of family cyprinidae with 10 taxon and cobitidae with 7 taxon. Channidae was represented by 2 taxon and family balitoridae, ambliceptidae and mastacembelidae by 1 taxon each. Diversity was assessed with the help of Simpson, Shannon and Wiener, Menhinick, Margalef and equitability J indices. Multivariate analysis was done with the help of cluster and principal component analysis. Some detrimental ecological parameters were also analysed which had either positive (pH and temperature) or negative (velocity of water current and dissoved oxygen) impact on fish population. INTRODUCTION Fishes have been associated with man since ages. Many references of fishes are available in Matsyapuran, Upnisad and Vedas (The religious books of Hindus). In present time the fish has an important role in the life of human being medically as well as economically. Fish are valuable source of high-grade protein and other organic products and nutritionally important human diet, which are the necessary part of human food. Fish occupy a significant position in socio-economic fabric of the many countries by providing the nutritious food and employment opportunities. The fish has also attracted the attention of taxonomist, naturalists and zoo-geographers as it is the most diverse group of vertebrates which possess diverse behaviors in its feeding and breeding physiology. There is a vast number of fish species inhabiting both the marine and the fresh water habitats. Majority of the freshwater fishes are available in India and its adjacent countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Srilanka etc. India is a rich country in fresh water resources. So many large and small rivers (snow fed and spring fed), their tributaries, ponds and lakes provide a suitable habitat for fish and other aquatic animals. Garhwal Himalaya forms a considerable part of Central Himalaya. The whole region cover an area of 30,000 square kilometers with several cold water lentic and lotic bodies that owe their origin either in the snow peaks or in the springs of mountains. The lotic water bodies are some snow fed and spring fed river while the lentic water bodies are natural cold water lakes and few man made reservoirs. Ganga, Yamuna, Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Mandakini, Kedarganga, Jarganga, Bhilangana, Nayar, Song and Khoh are some important snow and spring fed river of this river. About 68 fish species sre reported from this region (Singh, et.al,1987). Snow trout, Mahseer and Labeo are the main food fish and Puntius, Barilius, Garra, Noemaheilus and Glyptothorax are some other common fishes inhabiting in this region. River Mandal has been considered as important spring fed stream in Garhwal Himalaya (Latitude 29 o 45’ N – 29 o 55’ 40”N and longitudes 78 o 17’ 15” E - 78 o 55’ 20” E). Studies on its diversity in terms of fish population, Plankton and Available Online at http://www.recentscientific.com International Journal of Recent Scientific Research International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Vol. 9, Issue, 12(C), pp. 29958-29962, December, 2018 Copyright © Sandhya Goswami and Anoop K Dobriyal*, 2018, this is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. DOI: 10.24327/IJRSR CODEN: IJRSFP (USA) Article History: Received 6 th September, 2018 Received in revised form 15 th October, 2018 Accepted 12 th October, 2018 Published online 28 th December, 2018 Key Words: Spatial Distribution, Fishes, River Mandal, Uttarakhand, India