Ichthyofaunal Diversity and Distribution of Freshwater Fishes in Chankapur Dam, Kalwan, Maharashtra, India

The Chankapur Dam, established in 1911 on the Girna River, serves as a vital freshwater ecosystem in the Nashik district of Maharashtra. A systematic study was undertaken to document the current status of its fish fauna between January and March 2024. Taxonomic identification revealed a total of 14 species belonging to 7 families. The family-wise distribution showed high prevalence of Cyprinids (6 species), reflecting their strong adaptive capabilities in this habitat. Other families recorded include Channidae, Bagridae, Siluridae, Clariidae, Nemacheilidae, and Cichlidae. While the dam currently supports a blooming fishery, the observed species decline compared to past records highlights the growing impact of anthropogenic activities on regional aquatic diversity.