MANANG: Farmers in Manang — where fish or fishery are not common — have become elated after the species of Rainbow Trout have started being reared commercially in the district.

Manang, with its geographical remoteness and extremely cold weather, did not so far facilitate fish rearing. However, the locals of are joyous after commercial fish farming has taken off in the district for the first time.

Local Lokendra Ghale of Dharapani, Nashong Rural Municipality-4 in Lower Manang, has began commercial fish farming with an investment of Rs 5.9 million. Himali Project, which has been working in the sector of agriculture, livestock, and other livelihood related areas in 10 upper mountainous regions, has made 80 percent investment in Ghale's business.

“Many farmers were disappointed believing that fish cannot be reared in cold places,” Ghale said, “however, the fish farming business that I have begun has been successful. This has now changed the identity of the district.” He further added that the reared fish will be used within the district as Manang is a tourist area, and expressed hope that he will get high returns within a short span of time because the rainbow trout is of superior quality.

As many as 21,000 small fish were put into the pond. Some of them did not survive and at present there are 15,000 fish in the pond, he shared.

Agriculture Development Office, Manang has been providing technical support and advice to Ghale, who has become popular for pioneering the fish rearing business in the district.

He further shared that he aims to make Manang self-sufficient by rearing fish in the pond in their early stages and later making them available to other farmers in the district.

Likewise, another local, Tej Jung Ghale of Khotro in the district, has also began fish farming business of the rainbow trout species.