Population dynamics of Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822) of river Sutlej in Punjab (India)

Aim: The aim of the present paper was to describe first and comprehensive picture on length-weight relationship and population dynamics of riverine Puntius sophore. The findings of the investigation will be an imperative part of the ecological database from river Sutlej. Methodology: The length-frequency data of 579 specimens of P. sophore captured from different stretches of river Sutlej were collected fortnightly from Tajpur fish market and Haibowal fish market (Devnagar) during April 2019 to March 2020. All the population parameters were analyzed using FiSAT II analytical package developed by FAO. Results: The estimated length-weight relationships (LWRs) of combined male and female was derived as W=0.1471 L3.0605 (r=0.98). The growth parameters were L∞=123.5 mm, K=1.18 yr-1, to= -0.7672 yr-1, Rn=0.215 and ø'=4.241. The estimated natural mortality coefficient (1.25 per yr) was greater than fishing mortality (1.03 yr-1).The present level of exploitation (E=0.45, U=0.40) of P. sophore stock indicated that stocks were under-exploited. Prediction of maximum length from extreme values at 95% confidence interval was calculated as 112.48-138.24 mm. The recruitment pattern of P. sophore showed peaks during May and June. Interpretation: The P. sophore stock was under-exploited. The fishing intensity may be standardized to obtain optimum yield per recruit and thereby ideal maximum sustainable yield. This baseline information will help in further studies on the stock assessment and formulating strategies for rational exploitation of the species.

Punjab’s Riverine Borderlands

This chapter focuses on the relationship between Indus Basin waters, territory and bilateral politics at the local scale, in Punjab after Partition. India and Pakistan’s international border cut through important canal headworks, making it difficult for either country’s irrigation service to control them effectively. Further complicating matters, the River Sutlej seasonally exposed and covered shifting islands that both countries claimed. Tensions, and even minor armed conflicts, were common. Local correspondence reveals contradictory impulses. Officials both made pragmatic arrangements for ‘no man’s land’ areas, and demonstrated their determination to assert state sovereignty right up to the perceived limit of “national” territory. The chapter attests to the interplay between geography, administrative policy and local agency in forging particular types of border space.

A Tibetan Inscription by lHa Bla-ma Ye-shes-'od from dKor (sPu) Rediscovered

dKor and sPu are twin villages, separated by a rivulet, situated on the right bank of the river Sutlej in Kinnaur. A stēle inscription in question was first noticed from dKor by A. H. Francke in 1909, and subsequently by Giuseppe Tucci, in 1933 (Fig. i). Unfortunately neither Francke nor Tucci translated it in extenso. Francke, however, has published its main contents and Tucci relied on Francke's translation. Fragmentary it may be, but it contains invaluable information about the activities of Ye-shes-'od, a well-known monk-king of Western Tibet (formerly of the Gu-ge kingdom). To our knowledge, this seems to be the only Tibetan inscription which can definitely be dated to Ye-shes-'od's times. Fortunately, it mentions a specific date, i.e. the dragon's year (‘brug gi lo). In the year A.D. 1042 his grand-nephew Byang-chub-'od indirectly recalls Ye-shes-'od's deeds in the very first line of an inscription at rTa-pho. Thus it runs: spre'u'i lo la sngon mes byang chub sons dpas/gtsug lag khang ‘di bzhengs … [before, in the monkey year this temple (vihāra) was constructed by the grandfather the bodhisattva]. It is quite clear that the grandfather referred to in the line is none other than Ye-shes-'od. Another inscription also at rTa-pho, belonging to a somewhat later period, again records his name along with Byang-chub-'od and Zhi-ba-'od.