Western Ghats Unable to Sustain Fresh-water Eco-system

Several fresh water species of fish, invertebrates, dragonflies, damselflies and aquatic plants in the western ghats may soon become extinct because of water pollution from agricultural and urban sources, overfishing and invasive species. According to a study by Zoo Out-reach organization, Coimbatore and international Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN), the world’s foremost authority on threatened species, atleast 16% of the 1146 freshwater species face extinction. Globally too, fresh water fish are the most susceptible group with more than a third (37%) of the 290 species at risk.

Among the vanishing species is the Deccan mahseer (tor khudree), one of the most sought after fish in peninsular India. Over-harvesting, invasive species and pollution have led to a drastic fall in its numbers.Who is there to take care of this development and protect the species getting extinct? Is it the inevitable fate of the flora and fauna of this planet?