Kathmandu – A technical workshop on conservation framework and market development strategy for fisheries sector of Nepal concluded on Wednesday. The objective of the workshop organized by USAID Paani project is to get inputs and feedbacks from government ministries and other stakeholders for: (1) Fisheries Conservation Framework; and (2) Market Development Strategy. The workshop was conducted in two segments. First, it provided an overview of the project to experts and government officials. Then, technical experts were split into two groups—one focused on the conservation framework and the other on the market development strategy for fisheries sector in Nepal.
As the need for food, water and energy is growing rapidly in Nepal, our rivers and freshwater ecosystems are under severe stress. A huge investment will be made in the hydropower and irrigation sector in next two decades. Unfortunately, many decisions regarding such investments are not based on proper assessment of risks factors that pose threats to freshwater biodiversity, or the ways to reap benefits. In the absence of frameworks and strategies guided by strong policy, Nepal’s fisheries sector has been left behind in terms of both conservation and development.
Poorly planned hydropower and irrigation projects can cause significant impacts on freshwater biodiversity. We can’t ignore the fact that these projects, owing to lack of careful planning, can result in fragmentations and modifications of the rivers’ flow pattern. This will not only result in the loss of biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems but will also compromise on the long-term services rendered by the existing rivers.
The USAID Paani Program (Paani) is supporting an international study team to draft a Fisheries Conservation Framework, as well as a Fishery Market Development Strategy for Nepal. The study team has devised a variety of methodological approaches, including field observation and interaction with local river groups, and multiple stakeholders at the national, provincial and local levels.
The goal of this workshop is to bring together stakeholders, government ministries, and experts to discuss and determine ways to move forward on a conservation framework and market development strategy for fisheries in Nepal.
