Phytoplankton and Zooplankton Communities of an Oxbow Lake in Barak Valley, Assam

A preliminmy investigation was carried out in Fulbari ' anua', Cachar, Assam during 2010, in order to gather information on the presence of phytoplankton and zooplankton communities and their habitat conditions. The study showed that Fulbari 'anua' is relatively in satisfactory conditions in terms of physicochemical properties of water and its planktonic communities. Dominance of Bacillariophyceae and Chlorophyceae amongst phytoplankton and Calanoida amongst zooplankton indicate oligotrophic to mesotrophic status of the 'anua '. The study also revealed the prospect of fishery like pan and cage cultures in some of its patches. Besides, this study suggests initiation of some management measures especially in relation to the dense aquatic macrophytes. This study also highlights the prospect of this oxbow lake for enhancing the socio-economic status of the riparian people by proper management measures and sustainable utilization of its resource.