Ethnozoological Study of Hill Stream Fish Inhabiting the Streams and the Tributaries of the Chambal River in South-Eastern Rajasthan (India)

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Ethnozoological importance of the hill stream fish was studied. Tribals and other local inhabitants of the region under study employ some indigenous fishing methods like usage of piscicidal plants, viz., Butea monosperma, Terminalia arjuna, Casearia elliptica, Madhuca indica, Phyllanthus emblica, Holoptelea integrifolia, Aegle marmelos, Euphorbia neriifolia, Nicotiana tabacum, Balanites aegyptiaca, etc., and other novel fishing methods in streams and tributaries, stream creeks and brooks. They have developed methods for prolonged preservation of such fish. Therapeutic importance of hill stream fish was also found out. Various parts of these hill stream fish are used to cure many an ailments, viz., tuberculosis, joint pains, respiratory diseases, pneumonia, asthma, sexual impotency, paralysis, deforming of cattle, skin diseases, psoriasis, high B. P. and kidney ailments, etc.
Keywords: Ethnozoological importance, Tribals, Piscicidal plant, hill stream fish, South-eastern Rajasthan