Vol. 3, Issue 12, Part D (2017)

Abstract
An investigation was carried out from Feb 2016 to May-2017 on the Choutra Naitara Wetland of Goalpara District, Assam to evaluate the present status of fish diversity and current Anthropogenic stress upon the wetland. Situated on the East of Goalpara district, nearest to Rangjuli town Choutra Naitara wetland covers an area of 220 ha. A total of 50 species belonging to 38 Genera, 08 orders and 21 Families have been recorded from the wetland. As per IUCN status (2017-2), 5 species were nearly threatened (NT), 1 species vulnerable (VU), 42 species were least concern (LC) and 2 data deficient (DD). 3 exotic species have been recorded. This wetland is drained by two rivers, namely Kornoi and Juria coming out from the East Garo Hills of Meghalaya. Out of 8 orders recorded Perciformes was the highest contributing 07 families. Among families, Cyprinidae was recorded highest with 17 representative species followed by Bagridae having 6 species. Currently the wetland is susceptible to varied anthropogenic stress such as population pressure, illegal settlements, Overfishing, agricultural activities etc which have resulted in massive destruction to the wetland ecosystem. Some strategies such as awareness programme to educate the local people, control water pollution, controlled harvesting of fish etc. must be implemented for conservation to the native fish species of the Wetland.