India’s ancient underground fish species under threat due to poor water governance

[UngulateNerd92]

• Gondwana fishes found underground in the Western Ghats are under threat due to poor water governance.
• Overexploitation of groundwater and dug out wells running dry due to droughts are threats to the survival of these subterranean fish.
• Treating aquifers as ‘commons’ could be the way forward to ensure sustainable groundwater management and aquifer protection.

India’s treasure-house of ancient underground Gondwana fishes, in the global biodiversity hotspot of Western Ghats, are under threat due to over-exploitation of its groundwater and poor water governance. The problem is worsened by climate change leading to droughts, which is causing almost half of the dug-out wells to run dry during summer, the crucial season for subterranean fishes, scientists from Kochi report in Trends in Ecology and Evolution.

India's ancient underground fish species under threat due to poor water governance

 

[Bengal Tiger]

Very disappointing, especially as a half-malayali South Indian kid. Even though I was not born in India and do not live there I have family there. I actually have family in Kochi. Very sad to hear this.

 

[UngulateNerd92]

Very disappointing, especially as a half-malayali South Indian kid. Even though I was not born in India and do not live there I have family there. I actually have family in Kochi. Very sad to hear this.

It sure is... I didn't know that you were of South Indian heritage, that is awesome. I can see why you have the screen name Bengal tiger. Thank you for your continued interest in my conservation-related posts. Do you think you would be willing to share this story/article with your family in India? It is important this information gets out there.