Bhawna Dhawan

Rivers are the foundation of humanity. One such Indian river system, which is the epitome of our cultural and religious beliefs, is the holy Ganges. It is home to many life forms, including humans. It is also home to a legendary fish species, the tiger of the Ganga — ‘The Golden Mahseer’. 

The Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora) is one of the largest freshwater fishes in the Himalayan rivers. This fish has been popular since its discovery in the colonial era. In 1822, the avid English angler Hamilton introduced the fish to the world, as it offered all the thrills of a European salmon. Since then, the desire to see one has always piqued the interest of anglers from around the world. And eventually, the golden mahseer became an integral part of the Himalayan River ecosystem. But the golden scales are not the only interesting part of the species!

As a budding researcher, I was lured by this fish, which has swum its way into local narratives, research discussions and debates. With time, I was greeted by several fascinating stories when I first stepped into the simplicity of the Ramganga basin hill streams to study the golden mahseer.

“Once, there was a local fisherman who lived in the wilderness of river Kosi. Galloping through the Himalaya to meet the mighty Ganges, Kosi moved fiercely. As the sun shone brightly and the call from the wild became increasingly louder, he would go out on a fishing quest. But unlike others, his pursuit was special. In the river full of many fishes, his eyes would look out for only one! The one with the big golden scales! 

The ‘tiger’ of Himalaya — The Golden Mahseer! 
His love for this fish was unrivalled, not only for of its attractive golden colour but also because of its elusiveness and intelligence.”

Stories like these sparked in me a curiosity to interact more closely with the local communities…read more on NOPR