2024 Vol. 30 No.2 PP 367-374

https://doi.org/10.33451/florafauna.v30i2pp367-374

Evaluation of ichthyofaunal diversity and physicochemical parameters of Chulla stream in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, India

^*Narayan Lal Choudhary, Nadim Chishty¹ and Anil Kumar Sharma² A study was carried out to examine the diversity and distribution patterns of fish species in the Chulla stream in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh. The stream was categorized into upstream and downstream zones according to the altitudinal gradient. Four fish species were identified, belonging to four different genera within the order Cypriniformes. These species were part of the family Cyprinidae and were divided into two subfamilies: Danioninae and Cyprininae, with Cyprininae being the most prevalent. The study analyzed the relationship between fish species and certain abiotic water parameters using Pearson correlation. To assess the stream’s biodiversity, various diversity indices were utilized, including Simpson’s Index, Simpson’s Diversity Index, Shannon Index of Diversity, Margalef’s Richness Index and Pielou’s Evenness Index. The Water Quality Index values ranged from 41.61 to 45.92, indicating “good” water quality. Results showed greater species diversity in the downstream zone due to lower gradients, increased meandering, and slower current velocity, which enhanced nutrient deposition. In contrast, upstream areas faced significant anthropogenic impacts, altering physicochemical factors and resulting in higher species dominance but lower overall diversity.

KEY WORDS:Chulla stream, Diversity indices,Ichthyofaunal diversity, Pearson correlation, Physicochemical parameters, WQI.