Hilsa spotted in Ganga near Ghazipur in UP, decades after barrage cut off migration route

Scientists in India have spotted two hilsa fish in the Ganga River near Ghazipur town in Uttar Pradesh, a significant discovery that could indicate the river's suitability for the species after decades of absence. The two hilsa weighed a combined 740 grams and were confirmed by officials at the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) and local authorities.

This sighting is particularly notable because the Ghazipur area lies upstream of the Farakka Barrage in West Bengal, a structure that has disrupted hilsa migration patterns since the 1970s. Hilsa fish are known to travel from the sea to freshwater breeding grounds, a journey impeded by the Farakka Barrage. The presence of hilsa in Ghazipur could be an encouraging sign for the species' potential return to its historical migration route.

However, experts caution that the sighting does not necessarily mean a population recovery, as breeding and successful reproduction are crucial for the species' survival. The Ghazipur discovery also comes as part of efforts to restore native fish populations along the Yamuna River, as directed by the National Green Tribunal.