J. Ecophysiol. Occup. Hlth. 15(1 & 2), 2015, 45–52 ©2015 The Academy of Environmental Biology, India DOI : 10.15512/joeoh/2015/v15i1&2/91183 *Email: usarkar1@rediffmail.com 45 45 Introduction Fishes represent half of all extant vertebrates with more than 32,000 recognized species (Eschmeyer et al., 2014) which have different morphology, behavior and habitat (Nelson, 2006). Cypriniformes constitute most important fshes of world and is one of the largest order of freshwater fshes amongst diverse range the groups. Mahseer are belonging to the order Cypriniformes and commonly known as “King of Indian freshwater systems”. It is a group of game/sport fsh under genus Tor and also includes some other species of the genus Neolissochilus. Mahseer is famous for its delicacy as food but it gains much more attention due to its capabilities to be used as game fsh and is one of the favorite choices of the anglers across World. Being so important, this fsh is now declining in its natural habitats due to various anthropogenic activities. Mahseer Mahseer in India: An Overview on Research Status and Future Priorities U. K. Sarkar * , B. K. Mahapatra 1 , S. Roy Saxena 2 and A. K. Singh 3 ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata (West Bengal), India - 700120 1 ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Kolkata Centre, Kolkata (West Bengal), India - 700091 2 Barktullah University, Bhopal (M.P.), India - 462026 3 ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal (Uttarakhand), India - 263136 Abstract: The population of mahseers are declining very fast in different parts of India due to indiscriminate fshing of brood stock and juveniles, fast degradation of aquatic ecosystems, construction of dams, barrages and weirs under river valley projects etc and therefore the species deserves high conservation values in India. To save this prized resource, effective conservation and rehabilitation strategies need to be planned and implemented in the country. This requires knowledge of current status of fsh, declining trend, aquaculture potential and population structure in the wild habitats, which is yet not carryout comprehensively. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to review evolutionary history, present status and role of conservation biology for their conservation, sustainable utilization and enhancement. Based on the review, discussed potential promising plans, priorities and suggestions, which would help saving mighty mahseers across the country. Keywords: Mahseer, Rehabilitation, Aquaculture. is so famous between anglers that some used to call it “Majestic Goddess” and several organizations are working for its conservation by organizing various angling programmes in Himalayas and Western ghats in India (Islam and Tanaka, 2007). Mahseer fshes are facing the threat of extinction and many of the fsh species are categorized as endangered while others are threatened (IUCN, 2014). In order to save this prized resource, effective conservation and propagation assisted rehabilitation strategies have been planned and being implemented by the Directorate of Cold water Fisheries Research (DCFR) in the country. This is how knowledge of genetic variation, population structure and distribution of valid species of Mahseers in the wild habitat, are now comprehensively available (Jyoti et al., 2013; Rohit et al., 2015). In the present paper, an attempt has been made to review the present status and need of conservation