THIS CHENNAI-BASED MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL HAS A NATIVE FISH SPECIES NAMED AFTER HIM

For Beta Mahatvaraj who works as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at an agro-tech start up, spotting, raising and documenting native species of fishes across India is more than just a fascination

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It is not uncommon when you visit someone's home and spot a fish tank, your mind might conjure different associations where some see fish tanks as symbols of prosperity, like the goldfish and Koi fish. And for some, they are ornamental pets.

For individuals like Beta Mahatvaraj, it is a unique treasure much like any other form of biodiversity, especially the native fish species of India, which he believes deserve urgent protection. In fact, one would not find imported species in his fish room at his Anna Nagar residence.

Surprisingly, Mahatvaraj's full-time profession is not in the fields of marine life conservation. A seasoned management professional, he once worked with a leading multinational corporation and is now a Chief Operating Officer (COO) at an agro-tech start up.

The species he raises