International Science Community Association International Research Journal of Biological Sciences 2278 - 3202 1 1 2012 05 10 Status of Cat Fish Diversity of River Kelo and Mand in Raigarh District, CG, India 71 73 EN Bi Shaziya 1 School of Studies in Zoology and Biotechnology, Vikram University, Ujjain, MP, INDIA Goyal P.K. 2 Mishra P.C. 1 P.G.Department of Environmental Sciences, Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Orissa, INDIA Dash A.K. 2 Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, ITER ,SOA University ,Bhubaneswar, INDIA Khageswar Pradhan 3 NTPC ,Kaniha ,Angul ,Odisha, INDIA Namdhari B.S. 1 Department of Biotechnology, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa, INDIA Rohilla S.K. 2 Department of Energy and Environmental Sciences, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa, INDIA Salar R.K. 3 Gahlawat S.K. 4 Bansal P. 5 Saran A.K. 6 Goswami A.P. 1 Department of Biology, M.V.M. Science and Home Science College, Rajkot, Gujarat, INDIA Mankodi P.C. 2 Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, INDIA Bhosale P.R. 1 Department of Environmental Science, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, MS, INDIA Chonde S.G. 2 Department of Microbiology, Rajaram College, Kolhapur, MS, INDIA Nakade. D.B 3 Raut P.D. 4 Bhatt T.K. 1 Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Rajasthan, Kishangarh, INDIA Dangwal L.R. 1 Herbarium and Plant Systematic Lab., Department of Botany, H.N.B. Garhwal University (a Central University), SRT Campus, Badshahithaul, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, INDIA Singh Tajinder 2 Salar RajKumar 1 Department of Biotechnology, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa, INDIA Rohilla SureshKumar 2 Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, CCS HAU, Hisar, INDIA Rohilla JitenderKumar 3 TofighiNiaki M. 1 Midwifery Department, Islamic Azad university Sari Branch, Sari IRAN Zafari M. 2 Aghamohammady A. 3 K. SabahelkheirMurwan 1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Al Neelain University, SUDAN Abdalla AbdelwahabH. 2 Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Khartoum, SUDAN NouriSulafa H. 3 Tamboli R.K. 1 Department of zoology, K. Govt. Arts and Science College, Raigarh, CG, INDIA Jha Y.N. 2 Govt. Niranjan Kesherwani College, Kota, Bilaspur, CG, INDIA > Short Communication 2012 3 30 2012 05 10 Fishes are one of the most significant aquatic fauna which is directly or indirectly related with human health and wealth. Hence biodiversity and its conservation are regarded as one of the major issue of enabling sustainable use of natural resources. It is necessary and need of the day to protect icthyofaunal diversity in their natural habitat. Raigarh district is blessed with two main rivers Kelo and Mand and are the left tributaries of the Mahanadi river. Our freshwater fish diversity is poorly studied and some areas are still untouched and there is no proper documentation on freshwater fish resources of Raigarh district. Due to irrational fishing practices, industrial discharge, sewage discharge, deforestation, mining activities and other anthropogenic activities over the year this captive fish diversity is on a decline. The study area includes river Mand from Tarapur to Chandrapur and river Kelo from Lakha (dam constructing site) to Padigaon area, about twenty five kilometer down stream is supported with few number of economically important species of cat fishes. Higher cat fish diversity is observed after mansoon season. River Mand and Kelo of Raigarh district is rich in fish fauna but the status of cat fishes is the most average. We presently recorded 17 species of cat fishes from 12 genera and 6 families during the period of July 2010 to March 2011 when rivers has sufficient water. Diversity index was lowest in March and highest in October in the year. Copyright@ International Science Community Association