Pictures PIB/BS News Agency.
Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency, PIB: The return of the iconic Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) to the middle and upper stretches of the River Ganga marks a remarkable milestone in India’s efforts towards river restoration, aquatic biodiversity conservation and livelihood security. After remaining virtually absent from upstream reaches for decades, Hilsa has now been recorded near Tanda Khurd village in Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh, demonstrating that a species once considered locally lost can be restored through sustained, science-based conservation.
Historically, Hilsa migrated from the Bay of Bengal through the Ganga system up to Varanasi, Prayagraj and beyond. However, after commissioning of the Farakka Barrage in 1975, its migratory pathway was severely disrupted, causing a drastic decline in the middle and upper Ganga and affecting riverine fishing communities dependent on the species.
ICAR-CIFRI & NMCG Intervention
Recognising the ecological, nutritional, cultural and livelihood significance of Hilsa, ICAR–Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Barrackpore and the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) initiated a long-term scientific programme for Hilsa restoration.
Between 2019 and June 2026, ICAR-CIFRI implemented an integrated strategy involving river ranching, stock enhancement, artificial breeding, release of fertilised eggs and hatchery-produced spawn, tagging, post-release monitoring and stakeholder participation. More than 3.85 lakh juvenile and adult Hilsa were ranched, while over 40 lakh fertilised eggs and approximately 9.4 lakh hatchery-produced spawn (2–6 days old) were released upstream of Farakka Barrage. Tagging and systematic monitoring provided valuable information on migration, survival and movement.
From Fish Restoration to River Restoration
The results are increasingly visible. After nearly three decades, two Hilsa weighing a combined 740 grams were reported from Tanda Khurd village near Markandey Mahadev Temple in Chandauli district. Monitoring during 2023–25 had earlier recorded upstream movement of ranched Hilsa up to Mirzapur, indicating progressive restoration of its historical range.
Hilsa is a sensitive migratory species and its presence provides an important ecological signal of river connectivity and habitat suitability. Its return therefore represents a biological indicator of improving ecological functionality of the Ganga.
Reflection on Hilsa Recovery
Reflecting on the recovery, Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, emphasised that fisheries restoration should be viewed as an integral component of ecological restoration and sustainable livelihoods. He highlighted the need for ecosystem-based river management integrating fish migration, habitat quality, biodiversity, water management and the livelihood needs of fishing communities.
According to Dr. Dey, ecological restoration becomes truly meaningful when it strengthens social and economic resilience. Hilsa recovery can enhance fish availability, support livelihood diversification and strengthen the livelihood security of riverine communities while conserving the ecological heritage of the Ganga.
A Model for Science-Led Conservation
The Hilsa recovery is more than a fisheries success story—it demonstrates what sustained science, institutional commitment and collaborative public policy can achieve. The ICAR-CIFRI–NMCG partnership integrates fisheries science, river conservation, field interventions and community participation.
The return of Hilsa offers hope for restoring other native and migratory aquatic species. It reinforces the principle that rivers should be managed as living ecosystems rather than merely as channels for water management.
The journey of Hilsa from the Bay of Bengal to the upper Ganga is therefore a symbol of ecological resilience, scientific perseverance and renewed hope for the Ganga and its fishing communities.