Shillong, May 5: The chocolate mahseer has been named as the State Fish of Meghalaya, the cabinet decided today.
Better known locally as Khasaw in Khasi and Na-rang in Garo, the chocolate mahseer (Neolissochilus hexagonolepis) is found in different parts of the North East and South East Asia.
The proposal to name the chocolate mahseer as the state fish was initiated by the Department of Fisheries and backed by the Meghalaya State Aquaculture Mission. Key stakeholders, including fish farmers, contributed insights during consultations. The proposal received technical validation from the ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, underscoring its scientific credibility.
Found in cool, clear, oxygen-rich waters, this indigenous species can grow up to 120 cm in length and weigh up to 11 kilograms. However, it is currently listed as “threatened” by the IUCN Red List and categorized as “endangered” by the ICAR-NBFGR, emphasizing the urgent need for its conservation.
The declaration aims to promote the conservation, culture, and sustainable production of the chocolate mahseer. It seeks to ensure the protection and restoration of its natural habitat while preserving the associated cultural beliefs and traditional knowledge systems.
“At present, our state does not have an officially designated state fish, unlike many other parts of the country,” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on social media today. “This fish is native to Meghalaya and the decision has also been taken with a strong focus on conservation, to protect and promote this indigenous species.”
Meghalaya is now among the 23 states in India to have a designated state fish.
