Ugyen Tshering
Bhutan’s plan for large hydropower plant would be detrimental to the aquatic ecosystem particularly fish. Hence, it has become necessary to generate scientific information about impact on the diversity of fish due to the constrauction of dam for hydropower.
Showing use of cast netting to collect the samples.
This study will be carried out in the area where two mega hydropower projects been constructed in Punatsangchu River Basin. The study intends to evaluate threats to fish community and its diversity downstream and upstream where such information lacks in the country. A comparative study of fish community and its diversity between upstream and downstream of dam will be conducted by sampling river in 25m segments. Based on the result the study will propose for restoration of the habitat as well as the mitigation measures to the Department of Forest and Park services for the conservation. The result of this project would also help the Department of Forest and Park Services to prepare management plan towards the conservation of the fish diversity as well as developing conservation policies and guidelines focusing on the species, thus ensuring the survival of fish in Puntshangchu River.
Field data collection.
The scientific report generated from this study would provide baseline data to all the conservation agencies and help draw their plan of action towards conservation of fish diversity in the country.