A survey of River Gandak, Bihar (India) to check the types of anthropogenic activities in river that affects fish biodiversity

Increasing human population puts intense pressure on the river and uses it as their household dustbin. These are Anthropogenic pollution (are directly associated with the decline of river water quality and the fishes) and become an alarming issue of increasing scientific concern. Bihar is the “land of rivers” and a huge population resides at the bank of the rivers. The present survey was undertaken in Gandak river (Bihar) at Hajipur from Aug 2022 to Sept 2023 to check water quality, fish biodiversity and their IUCN status in summer, winter and rainy season. 39 fish species were identified that belonged to 18 families, 29 genus and 39 species. The Cyprinidae family (31.08%) was dominating, followed by Bagridae family with 14.4%. 79.4% LC, 10.25% VU, 5.12% NT and EN. Physicochemical parameters were analysed that showed variations in river water quality. Anthropogenic activities are very active in these areas. Therefore, all these data will be helpful and very valuable in the future study in the Gandak river with respect to water quality, conservation and sustainable management of the fish biodiversity of river Gandak.