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The present study was conducted to generate a primary database on ichthyofauna diversity of river
Kaljani flowing through Cooch Behar district of West Bengal, India. 138 indigenous fish species
belonging to 31 families were identified. The family Cyprinidae represented the largest diversity
accommodating 20 genera and 50 species. Amongst all the fishes 58 species have ornamental value
and 55 species the food value. Ornamental fishes are dominant over the food fishes and carnivorous
fishes are dominant over the omnivorous and herbivorous fishes. According to IUCN (International
Union for Conservation of Nature ) and CAMP (Conservation Assessment and Management Plan)
the conservation status of the fishes are listed as, 1(0.72%) species as Critically
Endangered,13(9.42%) species as Endangered 41(29.71%) species as Vulnerable, 35 (25.36%)
species as at Lower Risk Near Threatened, 41(29.71%) species as Lower Risk Least Concerned,4
(2.89%)species as Data Deficient and 3(2.17%) species as Not Evaluated. It is concluded, that
anthropogenic pressure arising out of agriculture run offs, indiscriminatory use of fishing with new
fishing technologies and widespread habitation of people have contributed to the vulnerability of the
fish diversity.
Keywords: Ichthyofauna diversity, Kaljani river, Cooch Behar, Ornamental fish, Conservation status.