Investigation of Limnological Properties and Fish Diversity in Benisagar Pond of Panna District, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Panna possesses diverse freshwater ecosystems that support rich plankton and fish biodiversity, making limnological studies essential for understanding aquatic health, productivity, and sustainable aquaculture potential. The present study was carried out to evaluate the limnological characteristics and fish diversity of Benisagar Pond, Panna, Madhya Pradesh. The physicochemical parameters showed that the pond maintained stable and favorable environmental conditions for aquatic life. Water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, hardness, and nutrient levels remained within suitable ranges, indicating good water quality and moderate productivity. High transparency and the absence of free carbon dioxide further reflected a balanced aquatic ecosystem. Primary productivity values also confirmed active biological production and a healthy relationship between photosynthesis and respiration. Fish diversity assessment recorded six freshwater fish species from five sampling sites, with a total of 206 individuals. Catla catla was the most dominant species, followed by Mrigal carp, Cirrhinus mrigala, and Labeo rohita. Site D showed the highest fish abundance, suggesting better habitat conditions. Simpson’s Diversity Index (1-D = 0.820) indicated high species diversity, good richness, and balanced distribution of fish populations. Overall, the study confirms that Benisagar Pond is ecologically healthy and suitable for fisheries development, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable aquatic resource management.