Shillong, May 5: In a landmark decision, the state cabinet chaired by Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday declared chocolate mahseer, known as “Khasaw” in Khasi and “Na-rong” in Garo, as the state fish.
The naming of ‘Neolissochilus hexagonolepis’ would strengthen conservation and promotion of the species found across the state, Cabinet Minister and MDA spokesperson Wailadmiki Shylla said after the cabinet meeting.
Explaining significance of the long-awaited move, Shylla pointed out that Meghalaya was among a very few states without a designated state fish.
“Till now we didn’t have a state fish, whereas almost 22 states have already declared their state fish,” Shylla said.
The chocolate mahseer is widely distributed in rivers across teh state.
“You will find this fish in all parts of the state,” Shylla said, adding that the move was taken “from the conservation point of view as well.”
“We want to promote it and at the same time we want to conserve it as well,” he said.
