AWAOUS MOTLA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, a group of scientists discovered an edible freshwater fish available in the markets of western Odisha.

Awaous Motla

• It is a fish with a vibrant yellow-coloured body and a fleshy upper lip.
• It was collected from the Mahanadi River.
• The discovery was made during the ongoing research project funded by the Department of Science and Technology of the Odisha government.
• The species belongs to the family 'Awaous' (Oxudercidae) and is thus named 'Awaous motla.

Mahanadi River

• It is one of the major east-flowing peninsular rivers in India.
• Origin: The river originates from the Sihawa range of hills in the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh state.
• Course: It flows in a southeastern direction through Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

oThe catchment area of the basin extends over major parts of Chhattisgarh and Odisha and comparatively smaller portions of Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.

• Bounded by: In the north by Central India hills, in the south and east by the Eastern Ghats, and in the west by Maikal hill range.
• Tributaries: The main tributaries of Mahanadi are Seonath River, Jonk River, Hasdeo River, Mand River, Ib River, Ong River, and Telen River.