Assessment of Ichthyofaunal Diversity of Kanjia Lake, Odisha, India

Abstract

Kanjia is a freshwater lake in Odisha situated between Nandankanan Zoological Park and the Botanical Garden and spreads over an area of 105 hectares. The lake is important for supplying water to the zoo, providing a source of livelihood for local fishermen, and supporting visitor recreation. It has great vertebrate diversity, particularly fish fauna. This study was undertaken from January 2022 to December 2024 in Kanjia Lake of Nandankanan Zoological Park over a period of 3 years to obtain baseline information on its fish diversity. During the study, fish samples were collected and identified, and their scientific names, local names, conservation status and taxonomic classification were recorded following standard literature. We collected and identified a total of 31 fish species belonging to 7 orders and 14 families and found that the order Cypriniformes showed maximum diversity, with 11 species, while the family Cyprinidae was the most dominant, with 10 species. We found that 29 species were Least Concerned (LC), while two were Near Threatened (NT). Regarding seasonal availability, some fish were available in all three seasons, whereas maximum diversity was observed in the post-monsoon season. Fish diversity in the lake is affected by various anthropogenic factors, macrophyte infestation, declining water levels and the invasion of predatory species.