Inland Fisheries Resource Enhancement and Conservation in Nepal

The ecological and biophysical diversity existing in Nepal offers comparative advantages and opportunities to develop and restore inland fishery resources for livelihood enhancement and poverty alleviation of rural communities. Through good governance and proper legislative measures it is required to establish improved environmental protection. Efforts need to target beneficiaries such as disadvantaged and marginalized ethnic communities with training and awareness raising, appropriate legal instruments; infrastructure development needs proper mitigation in hydropower generation/irrigation projects, particularly given the extensive new construction being planned in the future. Protection of biodiversity through scientifically guided indigenous fish breeding and restocking programs coupled with improved protection of natural populations is duly considered.

The economic well being of the Nepalese is very closely bound to its natural resources-arable land, water and forested areas. Nepal is in the process of developing legislation to protect and enhance its inland fishery resources. The fisheries sector contributes 2.72 percent to the Agricultural Gross Domestic Production (GDP) with a growth rate of 6.3 percent and contributes 1 percent to its National GDP.

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Expert Workshop on Inland Fisheries Resource Enhancement and Conservation in Asia

Over the past few decades inland fisheries resources have come under increasing pressure from water engineering projects, pollution and overfishing. FAO and NACA convened an expert workshop to review inland fisheries resource enhancement and conservation practices in Pattaya, Thailand, 8-11 February. Experts from 10 Asian countries attended the meeting to share experiences and lessons learned. Regional collaborative efforts are required to facilitate assessment of current inland fisheries resource enhancement and conservation practices.