INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES,
ENGINEERING & PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

Gela Beel, an oxbow lake in Golaghat District of Assam exhibits rich ichthyofaunal diversity. 58 species of fishes belonging to 41 genera, 19 families and 7 orders were recorded from the wetland in 2012-13. Cyprinids were the most dominant group represented by 21 species. As per CAMP report 26 species were found to be ‘Lower risk near threatened, 6 species were Lower risk least concern, 4 species were Endangered, 9 species were Vulnerable and 13 species were under ‘Not evaluated’ category. Among the recorded species about 51.72 % has been categorized as common, 39.65 % as occasional and rare category comprised of only 8.62 %. Anthropogenic pressure in the form wanton fishing is the greatest threat of fish diversity which needs immediate attention.