Environment News

Tamirabharani River Biodiversity

September 30 , 2026 12 hrs 0 min 24 0

Seven endemic fish species of the Tamirabharani River, Tamil Nadu, are facing threats from pollution, habitat loss and invasive species.
The river has 125 identified fish species, including seven species found only in the Tamirabharani.
Dawkinsia tambraparniei (Tamirabharani Seval Kendai) is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Other endemic species include Haludaria kannikattiensis, Garra kalakadensis, Garra joshuai, Neolissochilus tamiraparaniensis, Mesonoemacheilus tambaraparniensis and Hypselobarbus tamiraparaniei.
Major threats include pollution, untreated sewage, habitat destruction, loss of riparian vegetation and invasive fish such as tilapia and African catfish.
The Tamirabharani is the only river in Tamil Nadu that both originates and reaches the sea within the State.