30 kg fish caught at the Singtam River
I do not know how factual it is, but I have come across an article (could have been written a few years back) that says there is or was a suggested possibility of the existence of some kind of riverine mammals, like the fantasy of mermaids, or it could even be a Gangetic Dolphin in the regions from Rangpo and Singtam. I am from Singtam, but I have never heard of such a strange story apart from the 30 kg fish that was caught at the bank of the Singtam River last year. Thou sound fascinating, but I would love to read more about it.
The information provided is from the desk of a WWF-India-Department of Science and Technology, Sikkim Project, and the researchers are Dr. Ajeya Jha, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, and Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Indian Council for Agricultural Research. The complete article is found on the website of the National Informatics Center, Sikkim, under the topic of Mammals of Sikkim. But for my readers, here is the extracted portion:
Freshwater Mammals: Vague stories of “mermaids” from the Rangpo and Singtam regions suggest the possibility of the existence of some kind of riverine mammal in Sikkim as well. Immediate efforts are required to confirm such a possibility. Gangetic Dolphin will not exactly be out of its range if is found to exist in our state. It is a creature found in the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and their larger tributaries to the bases of the hills. Their migratory behaviour, however, makes their presence possible here, particularly during the summer months.
Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) (Included based on unconfirmed reports). Distribution: Found in the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, the Indus, and their tributaries. Distribution in Sikkim: May exist at Singtam, Rangpo, and Melli (the confluence of Teesta and Rangeet). Size: Generally 2 m in length.
Description: The body of the blind animal is fusiform, and the head is prolonged into a compressed beak. The colour ranges from dark lead to sooty black. Older individuals often have light patches on the sides.
Status: Endangered, Schedule I, (1991).
this is quite surprising to know the availabilty of gangetic dolphin in the river teesta that too inbetween singtam & rangpo, this mammals are rare & are about to extinct, if found in those area than its our duty to save them and bring awareness among the citizens for which u r the best fit for.
ReplyDeletei have people say there is some sort of water animal at bardang....i am excited....
ReplyDeletePoor Teesta ,from a river it has become adrain courtesy the power projects encouraged with vested interest by the man who must not be named.Where is the water available to sustain aquatic life in the stretch of the TEESTA between Singtam and Rangpo.Mr Chms please tell us
ReplyDeleteif I am not mistaken the photograph shown in the blogs is the Golden Masheer, Tor, sp. found along the stretch of river teesta basin or along the rangit basin also, due to the cascade development the hydro electric project along the teesta/rangit river, this beautiful creature is on the verge of extinction, lets us unite to save this.
ReplyDeleteIf there is some kind of mammals found in the river teesta basin please let me know.