'Fish Festivals' in the Garhwal Himalaya:Conservation Options Amidst Age-Old Practices

Rivers provide ecological and socio-economic benefits despite being highly threatened ecosystems. They continue to face anthropogenic and natural stresses. The Aglar in the Indian Himalaya is an important tributary of the Yamuna River, and hosts the annual 'fish festival' of the region. Field studies have revealed that this festival could harm endemic/threatened fish species of the Aglar. Lethal methods such as the use of bleaching powder and electricity should be banned; instead angling and cast netting in a regulated way could be promoted.