Abiotic status and primary production of river Narmada on its stretch from Maheswar (M.P.) to Kotiha (Gujarat) Dhirendra Kumar, M. P. Singh, D. K. Biswas, Ramji Tiwari and *P. N. Jaitly Central Infand Capture Fisheries Research Institute Barrackpore-743 101, West Bengal *Riverine Division of CIFRI Allahabad-211 002, U.P. Exploratory survey of river Narmada was conducted covering 10 centres on its 135 km stretch from Maheswar (M.P.) to Kotiha (Gujarat) during 1996-99. The abiotic status reflected productive freshwater conditions of the river, such as low depth (1.75 m-15.0 m) profile and flow rate (feeble current to 0.57 km/hr). Construction of Sardar Sarovar dam on the river Narmada seems to have brought marked ecological changes as from Hafeshwan to Surpan in Narmada river indicated lentic and turbulent reservoir conditions. Primary production by phytoplankton was maximum during winter (50-225 mgCim* fr) followed by summer (42-125 mgC/m*/hr) and post monsoon (75- 95 mgC/m*/hr). Studies revealed that the river stretch was moderately free from indusrial and municipal pollution: Stocking of Indian major carps in Umiam reservoir of Meghalaya - an approach for culture-based fisheries B. K, Mahapatra, K. Vinod and B. K. Mandal Division of Fisheries ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region Umiam (Berapani)-793 103, Meghalaya The Umiam reservoir is an important aquatic resource of Meghalaya with water spread area of approximately 500 ha. The original commercial fish stock of the parent river, especially the chocolate mahseer, Neolissocheilus hexagonolepis was insufficient to support a commercial fishery. The population of Chanda nama started emerging since the year 1994 and had increased drastically since 1997 onwards by utilizing the unutilized food niche. Initiative was taken by the Directorate of Fisheries, Government of Meghalaya to stock Indian major carp fingerling in the year 1999. Studies showed that the growth of Catla cata was 1000 g, Labeo rohita was 600 g, Cirrhinus mrigala, 43was 450 g and of Labeo calbasu was 650 g after one year of stocking. Contribution of the stocked Indian major carps in commercial catch in terms of flesh biomass production was 24.53%. From the present study, a clear-cut understanding has emerged that scientific stocking using the right species of proper size and number would definitely help in enhancing the fish yield in Umiam reservoir, as the growth performance of the Indian major carps was found to be promising. Also, this culture-based fisheries would help to control the increasing Chanda population, which otherwise would hamper the self-recruitment of the common carp and indigenous chocolate mahseer. Species enhancement by the introduction of exotic carp, Cyprinus carpio in Umiam reservoir of Meghalaya, North eastern India - an overview K, Vinod, B. K. Mahapatra, and B. K. Mandal Division of Fisheries ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region Umiam (Barapani)-793 103, Meghalaya The original fish stock of the Umiam reservoir consists of species like Puntius shalynius, Puntius sophore, Chanda nama, Channa_ punctatus, Clarias batrachus, Heteropneustes fossilis, Danio dangila, Brachydanio rerio. Badis badis and the dominant chocolate mahseer, Neolissocheilus hexagonolepis. However, the common carp, Cyprinus carpio which was introduced in the reservoir to support the commercial fishery forms the mainstay of fishery, forming the bulk of the catch at present. Due to its hardy nature, cold-tolerance and prolific breeding habit, this species has become fully adapted and established in the reservoir and they have been able to fill an ecological niche in the reservoir. Although the destruction of juveniles is rampant, a consistently good catch in terms of flesh biomass production has been observed round the year, forming the single largest fishery. The exotic common carp has been benefiting the people living in the hamlets around the reservoir and has paved way for fulltime and part-time fishing profession to many. Suitable management policies would certainly help to enhance fish production from this reservori and can minimize the gap between the demand and supply of Meghalaya state, which at present is deficient by 84.7%. 44