Families dependent on fishing in Koshi in crisis

By Baburam Karki,Barahakshetra, Oct. 17: The Malaha (Gudi) community, once dependent on fishing in the Saptakoshi River for their livelihoods, now face a crisis. With the reduction of fish in the Koshi River, their traditional way of life is under threat, leaving them struggling to make ends meet.

As the once-thriving community, depending on the Koshi River for nine months of the year to sustain their livelihoods, navigates declining fish, they are now facing financial hardship like never before.

Malaha communities, who previously relied on the river for their livelihoods, are now concerned about the future of their traditional occupation as fish in the river tend to decline.

At 56 years old, Gulabi Mukhiya from Koshi Rural Municipality-3 is concerned about the possible disappearance of his lifelong fishing occupation. Mukhiya, also the chairman of the buffer zone sector in the ‘Majhi Malaha Network,’ has been fishing since the age of 12, and it has been his education, job, and primary source of employment.

Since fishing is what they have been doing since childhood, their only skill is fishing. Gulabi is just a representative character; there are 400 families like his who make a living by fishing.

Some 400 Malaha families residing in the buffer zone area depend on fish from Koshi River. Generations of Gulabi’s family, including himself, have been sustained by fishing in the Koshi River.

Ramji Malaha from Kanchanrup-1, Saptari is now 44 years old, yet his daily routine remains unchanged. He has been fishing since the age of 10 and has dedicated three-and-a-half decades to this occupation, making fishing an integral part of his daily life.

“Every morning, Ramji follows the same routine. He grabs his old bicycle, a fishing net, and a basket, then heads to the Kosi River to fish. He reaches there by 7 AM. He begins the day by kneeling to the Koshi Maharani, their name for the River.

Three decades have passed since Ramji Malaha from Kanchanrup Municipality-1 began making a living 

off fishing. He stated, “There are no fish in the Koshi River like there used to be.” He has been engaged in the fishing business since his childhood and has never pursued any other line of work.

They used to fish throughout the day and bought rice, pulses, vegetables, and oil to bring home in the evening. The struggle was a daily reality. Ramji expressed his concern, “In the past, throwing a single net would lead to a fruitful catch, but now, even if you work all day long, you will not catch more than two kilograms. How can we sustain our daily lives?”

Gulabi Mukhiya, the president of the Malaha Network, reported that fish species like Velaulna (Kati), Chechara, Kusrah, Rajwam, Dhale, and others have ceased to appear in the Koshi River. In the past, our nets used to be filled with these fish, but nowadays they have disappeared from the Koshi River.

As we no longer catch fish in the Koshi River, our daily lives have become challenging. Gulabi said, “If the government could provide an alternative source of income for those of us who rely on fishing, we could at least sustain our daily lives.”

According to Binay Kumar Mishra, Assistant Wildlife Conservation Officer of the Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR), fish populations in the Koshi River have decreased compared to the past. 

He explained that several organisations, in collaboration with the Reserve Office, released wild fish fry into the Koshi River a few months ago. This effort is believed to support the dietary needs of other aquatic creatures.

We have granted fishing permissions to fishermen who have previously obtained permits. Given their years of experience in this occupation, they have been allowed to continue. He said that as they have no other occupation besides fishing, awareness programmes are being conducted to encourage them to explore alternative means of livelihoods.

According to the KTWR, 127 fish species were identified in the Saptakoshi River once. Currently, the exact count of fish species in the river is not available. However, Mishra also acknowledged that there is a decline in the number and species of fish in the river.