Sikkim Declares 'Katley' As State Fish

This fish is found mainly in parts of North-eastern states including in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and in Sikkim.

According to the official of the Fisheries department, Katley is found in various altitudes covering the entire state predominately confined in Teesta and Rangit rivers and their tributaries.

Because of his body colour the name "Chocolate Mahseer' was given to the fish which are mainly freshwater fish.

"In the year 1992, ICAR- National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR- NBGR), Lucknow has categorized Katley fish as endangered species which later on in the year 2014, the fish was also categorized endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)", said the official.

According to the official, the maximum growth and length of Katley fish recorded is 11 kg and 120 cm respectively.

Earlier, to prevent the deadly outbreak of dengue and viral fever from which around 51 persons died, the Firozabad district administration is releasing 25,000 mosquitofish that eat larvae of dengue-breeding mosquitoes. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dinesh Kumar Premi has said informed that the district officials is releasing 25,000 Gambusia fish in ponds across rural and urban areas adding that around 50 packets of fish seeds acquired from Badaun.

He informed that the fish east about 100 larvae daily. Around 51 persons died of dengue and viral fever in last two weeks in the district in Uttar Pradesh and more than 100 people are undergoing treatment. Meanwhile, District Magistrate Chandra Vijay Singh had recently directed health and municipal corporation officials to conduct a door-to-door survey to drain out stagnant water from coolers, pots and other utensils.

Also Read: Firozabad Administration Release Gambusia Fish In Ponds to Prevent Dengue Outbreak