Sound pollution upsets aquatic life in Narayani: Study

By Basanta Parajuli,Narayangadh, Mar. 6: Sounds of water transport mediums like motor boats and steamers operating in the Narayani River have seriously affected the aquatic life in the river, experts said.

Lately, noise pollution from water vehicles has been increasing in the Narayani River, which is home to aquatic animals such as fish and crocodiles. Deep Narayan Shah, Assistant Professor at the Central Department of Environmental Science, TU, said that if the increasing noise pollution is not controlled, there will be a challenge in the habitat and protection of aquatic animals.

"Currently, there are no fish in the areas where the motorboats are running," Shah, who has studied the situation of Narayani's fish for a long time, told The Rising Nepal. "Our study team has concluded that the motorboats have a serious impact on the aquatic system,” he informed.

Lately, the steamers and motorboats running on the Narayani River play music loudly, and another part is even when the steamer is running, the same noise is produced," he said.

There are 185 species of fish in Nepal. Out of them, there are 120 species of fish found in the Narayani River alone and many species of fish that live in flowing water are found in Narayani. 

Narayani River is the main habitat of not only rare aquatic animals such as crocodiles, gharials, and dolphins but also five species of turtles, that are becoming rare in the world, such as shahar, tangra, jalkapur, ther and gardi found in the river.

Bashnu Bote of Gandakot, who has been making a living by fishing in the Narayani River for a long time, said that it is not easy to fish now as before.

"Until two to four years ago, it was easy to catch fish in the river but now even to catch a kilogram of fish, one has to spend almost a whole day in the river," he said, "It is difficult to find fish in the river," he said.

Altogether, 22 steamers currently operate on the banks of the Narayani River in Narayangadh, while eight jet boats operate at Shivaghat, about eight kilometres west of it. Their sound pollution is seen directly in the river. 

Some steamers and motorboats are also seen running with smoke when the engine breaks down. It is said that it also affects air pollution.Motor boat operators are not ready to accept this. Babu Magar, who is operating two motorboats in the  Narayani River, claims that the motorboats have not affected the aquatic animals. 

“It is not true that fish are not seen in the river. We see many fishes in the river while operating boats,” he said.  Dr. Ram Devi Tachamo Shah, Assistant Professor at the Department of Life Sciences, Kathmandu University complained that even though steamers and motor vehicles can reduce noise and air pollution, no attention is paid to it.

"Steamers can operate with less noise, but they don't seem to be paying attention to that," she said. Steamers and motor boats can be operated in the Narayani River only with the approval of Bharatpur Metropolitan Corporation. It is necessary to study the impact it will have on the water resources when the operation is allowed.

 Dr. Shah said, "At least while allowing the operation of steamers, it is necessary to minimize the impact on the environment and water pollution. An environmental impact study is necessary for that."