Environment & Ecology
Content: A new catfish species has been discovered in the river Cauvery near Mettur Dam. The edible species has been named Pangasius icaria ( P. icaria) after Indian Council of Agricultural Research that discovered the species. The species belongs to the Pangasius genus.
About Catfish:
- The edible species has been named Pangasius icaria ( P. icaria) after the Indian Council of Agricultural Research that discovered the species. The species belongs to the Pangasius genus.
- The genus Pangasius is found in the Gangetic plains but not in peninsular India.
- Through this study, they found that Pangasius specimens from the river Cauvery are different from other species of the genus Pangasius.
- The new species is edible and the locals call it aie keluthi in Tamil.
- Catfish has high commercial value in aquaculture and wild capture fisheries.
About Mettur Dam:
- The Mettur Dam is one of the largest dams in India and also the largest in Tamil Nadu, located across the river Kaveri where it enters the plains. Built in 1934, it took 9 years to complete.
- The dam receives inflows from its own catchment area, Kabini Dam and Krishna Raja Sagar Dams located in Karnataka.
- There is a park at the base of the dam called Ellis Park maintained by the Tamil Nadu Public Works Department. It provides irrigation and drinking water facilities for more than 12 districts of Tamil Nādu and hence is revered as the life and livelihood-giving asset of Tamil Nadu.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Questions
Q.1) Which of the following is not a bird? (2022)
- Golden Mahseer
- Indian Nightjar
- Spoonbill
- White Ibis
Q.2) Certain species of which one of the following organisms are well known as cultivators of fungi? (2022)
- Ant
- Cockroach
- Crab
- Spider
