Nepal declares its first fish sanctuary

By Yagya Prasad Sapkota,Gulariya (Bardiya), Jan. 9: The Shaktighat stretch of the Karnali River, located between Bardiya and Kailali districts, has been declared Nepal’s first fish sanctuary.

Rajapur Municipality and Tikapur Municipality have jointly declared some four-square kilometres around the Shaktighat bridge as a fish sanctuary area. The initiative aims to conserve fish and other aquatic species with the participation of local communities living along the riverbanks.

The sanctuary covers the river section from Tediaghat in Ward No. 3 to Chediyaghat in Ward No. 4 of Rajapur Municipality, and from Phanta to Arnavaghat in Ward No. 8 of Tikapur Municipality.

Mayor of Rajapur Municipality Dipesh Tharu said the sanctuary was declared with the consent and active participation of both municipalities and local residents. He said fishing by setting nets is prohibited within the designated area.

In nearby areas, fishing will be allowed only outside the breeding season and without the use of large nets, poison, electric current or explosives.

“We have enjoyed eating fish, and we want our children and grandchildren to be able to do the same,” Mayor Tharu said. “Fish conservation will directly benefit local people, and the area can also be developed as a centre for research and tourism.”

Tikapur Mayor Ramlal Dagoura said the municipality would not limit the initiative to an announcement but would implement it through clear guidelines. 

He said conservation work has already begun through the formation of 15 local groups involving riverbank communities. To preserve local culture, fishing may be allowed for limited periods based on the fish life cycle, following set standards.

Plans are also in place to support alternative income-generating activities for river-dependent communities, assist fish farming to ensure fish supply, and improve local livelihoods. The municipalities have also banned illegal and unregulated extraction of river materials in the area. Country Representative of WWF Dr. Ghanashyam Gurung said the Karnali Shaktighat area is the country’s first fish sanctuary and described it as a pioneering and exemplary step for the conservation of aquatic biodiversity.

Aquatic conservationist Bijay Raj Shrestha said the sanctuary would help develop the Karnali River as a site for research and tourism. He added that along with fish, species such as gharial crocodiles, dolphins and otters would also benefit from protection.

The area declared as the sanctuary is known as a habitat for dolphins, otters and gharial crocodiles. With the ban on indiscriminate fishing, broader protection of aquatic wildlife is expected.