Cl 



MYSORE AND COORG. 



190. In the elevated table-land of Mysore and the hilly district 



of Coorg exist some fairly-sized rivers, and 



Fresh -water fisheries in Mysore many more which in comparison may be 

 and Coorg. termed streams. Besides these in Mysore 



there are a considerable number of lakes 



and large tanks that rarely dry up, and many of a smaller size, estimat- 

 ed at 20,000, which, either during the hot months or on the occasion 

 of any considerable drought, become entirely or nearly dry. 



191. Respecting the numbers of the population who eat fish ? they 



are reported to be as follows : In the Nundi- 

 At least half the people of <jrug division two-thirds, Astragam half: in 



_,-., ,-.,! ^^.y-v^. *-.-,-! rt -ftoT* 3 ' CJ ' 



Hassam district 95 per cent., Chituldrug 55, 

 Shimoga 65, Kadoor 50; whilst in Coorg they 



are computed at three-fourths of the population. In short, it may be fairly 

 assumed that at least half the people of Mysore and Coorg are fish-eaters, 

 when they are able to secure this species of food. 



192. As to whether the markets are sufficiently or insufficiently 



supplied with fish ? the following are the 



Markets generally are in- t { the Nun( Jidrug division : local 



sufficiently supplied with fish. r . 



markets near large reservoirs are fairly sup- 

 plied so long as the water lasts. In the Astragam division six 

 markets are stated to be insufficiently supplied, and four others to 

 be well supplied. In Hassam the markets in six of the talookas are 

 insufficiently supplied, and in one only is it sufficient. There is an 

 insufficient supply of fresh fish in all the markets in the Nagar and 

 Coorg districts, but in the latter salt-fish are imported from the coast. 

 In short, a generally insufficient supply of fresh fish obtains in the 

 markets of Mysore and Coorg. 



193. Respecting whether the amount offish in the rivers and tanks 



have increased, decreased, or remained station- 

 Fish are decreasing. ar y ? J n two of the Mysore divisions they are 



reported by all the amildars to have decreased 



of late years owing to the drought, whilst in the third division the 

 majority of the native officials give a similar report, and the remainder 

 assert that they have remained stationary. This question appears to 

 have been overlooked in Coorg. It appears, however, that in all but a 

 few talookas, wherein the supply is stationary, the amount of fish in the 

 rivers and tanks is reported to have decreased. 



194. The fishermen who only pursue that trade seem to be few, 



but those who fish in addition to other avo- 



shermen also follow other cations appear to be very numerous. In 

 upations. Nundidrug these are computed at two-thirds 



of the population, nearly every ryot keep- 

 ing a net to be employed as occasion or opportunity arises. In the 

 Astragam division, Hassara, and Nagar they are given at 171,359, but 



