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Kelah is a fish from the genus Tor. The general name of 'mahseer' (Indian for 'big head') is popularly used. In the nothern parts of India, mahseer is also called 'kurriah' or 'kukhiah' ,whilst our kejor (tengas) is called 'kajra'.

There is high possibility that the anme of kelah is derived from these terms. After all, the Hindu civilisation was the earliest to entrench itself in the Malay Peninsula.

"There he stood, the Mahseer off the Poonch, beside whom the Tarpon is a Herring and he who catches him can say he is a fisherman"
-Rudyard Kipling-

 
 
What can I do to help in kelah conservation effort?  
Do more reading on the issues of kelah conservation. Stop eating kelah meat. Practice catch and release of river fishes, especially the kelah. Join KAGUM or its activities
 
Do I need to be a KAGUM member to join your activities?
No. You can join any of our activities, no strings attached. If you are interested to join us, please contact us.
 
Isn't there enough government agencies and NGOs that also into local fish conservation?
Obviously, there is not enough ACTION in the field towards conservation of kelah and other river fish species, hence the reason why KAGUM was established. We want to help these organisations make things happen, as well as do specific change activities.
 
Why only kelah and not other fishes?
Kelah is only our icon for our river species. We are trying to help all species and also the rivers themselves.
 
Is KAGUM an angler group or a conservation group?
The latter. It so happens that it was formed by a group of anglers. Anybody with a heart for conservation is welcome. Case in point: when w do river clean-ups, most of us don't bring fishing rods!
 
Is KAGUM working alone?
Definitely not. We aim to support the relevant government and non-government organisations in the common cause of conserving our rivers and their fish species. Collaboration is our operative word!
 

What is KAGUM'S vision?

We want Malaysia to be a prime eco-tourism destination with well-conserved rivers and fishes, especially  the kelah as the prime freshwater sportfish.
 
 
 
Have comments or questions ? Contact us.