The Coorg Wildlife Society (CWS), which has been at the forefront of protecting Kodagu’s rich flora and fauna since 1982, continues to lead a remarkable conservation effort to protect the mighty Mahseer – often called the “Tiger of the River.”
Kodagu, renowned for its natural beauty and biodiversity, falls within the Brahmagiri range, recognised by the United Nations as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. Realising the urgent need to safeguard the district’s dwindling natural resources, the founders of CWS established the Society to protect the pristine ecosystems of the region.
Genesis of the Mahseer Conservancy
The idea of the Mahseer Conservancy was first discussed in 1985 during a committee meeting, inspired by the successful fish conservation models at Galibore and Bheemeshwari on the Cauvery, managed by the Wildlife Association of South India. Reports of large Mahseer in Dubare and Valnoor further strengthened the idea.
In July 1985, a 44-kg Mahseer was landed at Valnoor, confirming the presence of these iconic fish in local waters. The same year, CWS obtained a 25-kilometre river lease—from Sidapur bridge to Kushalnagar bridge—exclusively to protect the Mahseer from destructive fishing methods such as dynamiting, poisoning, and netting.
Awareness and Early Conservation Efforts
CWS launched extensive awareness programmes among riverbank communities, educating them on the ecological importance of the Cauvery and the dangers of destructive fishing. Fisherfolk were encouraged to adopt sustainable line-and-hook methods.
To maintain surveillance, watchers were employed to patrol the river, reporting illegal activities and preventing encroachments. With support from the Fisheries Department, certain river stretches were opened for regulated angling to promote conservation-based tourism.
From Protection to Policy
Between 1991 and 1992, Mahseer fingerlings from Tata Hatchery, Lonavala, were released into the protected Valnoor stretch. The initiative received wide public attention, helping promote awareness about conservation.
CWS gradually adopted a strict catch-and-release policy, allowing anglers to fish for sport but mandating the release of all Mahseer. Additional watchers were deployed, and a comprehensive handbook outlining the dos and don’ts of river management was introduced.
The Society also secured a Karnataka High Court order banning sand mining in the protected stretch. With vigilant monitoring, dynamiting and poisoning practices were nearly eradicated. The Fisheries Department further supported the effort by constructing a research and angling cottage at Valnoor.
In March 2011, conservation efforts reached a milestone when a 63-kg Mahseer—the largest recorded—was caught at Valnoor, validating decades of protection and management. Following this, certain stretches were declared “no fishing zones” to maintain ecological balance.
Recognising the Society’s success, the Fisheries Department later extended the lease to 95 kilometres across the Cauvery and Barapole rivers in Kodagu. However, limited resources prevented the Society from managing the full stretch effectively.
Scientific Research and International Collaboration
Since 2014, the focus of CWS has expanded from protection to research. Collaborations with Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada) and the University of Massachusetts (Amherst, USA) have led to groundbreaking studies on:
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Catch-and-release fishing impact
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Post-release mortality
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Feeding and handling behaviour of Mahseer
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River ecosystem health
The Society also pioneered radio telemetry studies on Mahseer migration patterns—the first of its kind in India.
CWS has supported research by the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) and the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), focusing on water quality, riparian vegetation, and aquatic biodiversity. In collaboration with the Nityata River Otter Conservancy, studies on otter populations and habitats were also undertaken.
Expanding the Conservation Scope
Over the past eight years, the Society’s focus has broadened from Mahseer protection to conserving all aquatic life in Kodagu’s rivers. Awareness campaigns involving schools and local communities have promoted catch-and-release fishing as an eco-friendly hobby.
Afforestation drives, soil erosion prevention, and replanting of native riparian vegetation have been conducted with the support of the Karnataka Forest Department. Mahseer Conservation Field Days have been organised to involve government departments and the public in ongoing efforts.
Mahseer Breeding Initiative
In collaboration with the Fisheries Department, CWS launched a breeding programme for the endemic Humpbacked (Orange-Finned) Mahseer after a noticeable decline in its population.
Initial efforts in 2016 and 2017 involved capturing wild broodstock and transferring them to the Harangi Hatchery, though these attempts failed due to the fish’s inability to adapt to confined environments.
The programme was later modified to use earthen ponds near the river, allowing natural acclimatisation. Although floods in 2019 caused losses, the project was revived in 2020 with support from the Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu. The breeding initiative remains ongoing to build a sustainable broodstock.
The Road Ahead
The Coorg Wildlife Society has outlined an ambitious roadmap for the future, which includes:
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Establishing an advanced fish repository with modern research facilities.
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Collaborating with national and international institutions for aquatic conservation.
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Using technology for data-driven management of aquatic biodiversity.
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Organising annual stakeholder workshops on Mahseer and river conservation.
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Expanding awareness programmes among students and local communities.
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Strengthening watch-and-ward mechanisms to prevent illegal activities.
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Supporting afforestation and riparian restoration efforts with the Forest Department.
Through four decades of persistent effort, the Coorg Wildlife Society’s Mahseer Conservancy stands as a model of community-driven conservation – proving that science, awareness, and stewardship can together revive the “Tiger of the River” and the lifeline of Kodagu.
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