Locals are worried after the aquatic animals including fish living in Karnali River and its tributaries began going extinct in the past few years.
The gradual extinction of different species at Karnali River including Sahar, small river fish, Gharial crocodile, and dolphin, a rare species in the world, has made them concerned.
The stakeholders voiced their concerns during a discussion program on water organized by Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) in Tikapur on this Saturday. At the program, intense discussions were held on how to protect the aquatic animals.
Rani Jamara Kulariya Water Irrigation Mul Kula Consumers’ Committee Secretary Parshu Ram Chaudhary stressed on the need to take initiatives to formulate special policy for the protection of the aquatic animals that going extinct.
He said it was high time the human race thought about conserving the aquatic animals as they have equal right to live on this planet just like other creatures.
Conservationists complain about the drastic decline in the number of Sahar (Mahseer) fish that were abundantly available in Karnali River about 20-25 years earlier. “Sahar fish weighing around 20-30 kg could be found in Karnali River but they seem extinct now.
It is high time we stopped the practice of rampant fishing in Karnali River as it has posed a serious threat to aquatic animals,” says Secretary Chaudhary.
Tourism entrepreneurs Tharka Bahadur Shah says there is no alternative to completely put a stop on fishing as the number of Sahar fish has been declining at an alarming rate. “They [Sahar fish] are facing threats after the fishermen began catching the fish by using net and poison,” says Shah.
This practice has also taken its toll on other species in the river such as dolphin and Gharial crocodile given their decreasing numbers, he said. Shah underscored the need to ban fishing at Karnali River for three months (April to June). He added that it will be difficult to see Dolphin, Gharial crocodile and Sahar fish in the next few years if fishing is not banned in the river.
According Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Kulo (Canal) Committee Chairman Lal Bir Chaudhary, even the number small fish, which are the food of larger fish like Sahar, Dolphin, Gharial and Otar, are on the decline due to the human activities. “Aquatic animals found in Karnali River are going extinct,” he says.
Sahar fish, dolphin, Gharial, and Otar are seen not only in Karnali River but also its tributaries including Mohana when the water rises, says Dolphin Protection Centre Secretary Bijaya Raj Shrestha.
He expressed his sadness over the sharp decline in the number of fish due to illegal and unregulated fishing in the river. “Public level efforts are required for the protection of Sahar, Dolphin, Gharial and Otar, among other aquatic animals.”
The district coordination committee has long been calling for tender to grant contract for fishing in the Karnali and Mohana rivers. The fishing tender has been a major reason behind the extinction of aquatic animals, says Dolphin Conservation Committee Coordinator Bhojraj Dhungana. Deputy chief of Tikapur Municipality, Keshari Bista says the municipality will make a plan and implement for the conservation of aquatic animals.
Likewise, Coordinator of District Coordination Committee Kailali Surya Bahadur Thapa claimed the fishing tender would be scrapped for the conservation of fish. He added that he would hold discussion with local body and stop the tendering process. He urged all the local bodies of Kailali district to conserve water and nature.
