Rajapur and Tikapur municipalities jointly announce Sakhi Fish Sanctuary, setting a national precedent for community-led freshwater conservation
KATHMANDU, JANUARY 10
In a landmark step for freshwater biodiversity conservation, Nepal has declared its first Fish Sanctuary in the Lower Karnali River, with Rajapur and Tikapur municipalities jointly announcing the protected area through a public declaration on Thursday.
Named the Sakhi Fish Sanctuary, the initiative marks the country's first formally recognised, locally governed fish conservation zone, aimed at protecting critical river habitats while promoting sustainable fisheries management.
The sanctuary spans approximately 3.9 square kilometres (390 hectares) of the Lower Karnali River, stretching from Southern Tedhiya (Rajapur-3) and Chhediya (Rajapur-4) to Arnahawa Phanta (Tikapur-8), covering river sections under both municipal jurisdictions.
The designated stretch has been identified as an ecologically significant zone, serving as a key breeding, spawning and nursery habitat for indigenous fish species. The area also provides vital habitat for nationally and globally important aquatic wildlife, including the Gangetic river dolphin, gharial, and the smooth-coated otter.
Local leaders said the sanctuary aims to address the rapid decline in fish stocks and aquatic biodiversity caused by overfishing, habitat degradation and pollution, while ensuring long-term benefits for river-dependent communities.
"This sanctuary is a decision jointly initiated, endorsed, and fully owned by Rajapur and Tikapur Municipalities," said Tikapur Mayor Ram Lal Dangaura Tharu. "It reflects our responsibility to lead conservation from the ground up, guided by the voices of our river-dependent communities. This is a decision taken by the people of Rajapur and Tikapur for our own future."
Rajapur Mayor Dipesh Tharu said the joint declaration signalled a shared commitment to long-term river stewardship. "By taking full municipal ownership of this declaration, we affirm that protecting Lower Karnali is our shared duty. This is the beginning of long-term stewardship driven by local government, communities, and coordinated action," he said.
The Fish Sanctuary has been declared in line with local aquatic animal and biodiversity conservation laws, following decisions by both municipal executives and public notices issued at the ward level in accordance with Free, Prior and Informed Consent principles.
Given that a complete fishing ban is not feasible, the emphasis is placed on seasonal restrictions during breeding periods to allow fish populations to rebound, while requiring fishing permits outside the restricted seasons.
Under the agreed framework, the Sakhi Fish Sanctuary will be managed through a co-management approach, combining municipal leadership with the active participation of river-dependent communities. Community River Stretch Management Groups have been formed to support routine monitoring, awareness campaigns and sustainable fishing practices, in coordination with the Division Forest Office and relevant security agencies.
Special emphasis has been placed on the meaningful participation of Sonaha and Tharu communities, whose livelihoods, culture and traditions are closely tied to fishing and river use in the Karnali basin.
The declaration builds on years of community-based conservation work in the Karnali basin supported by WWF Nepal and local partners. Through projects focused on otter conservation and sustainable river use, WWF Nepal has worked with fishing communities to promote seasonal fishing restrictions, larger mesh nets, and alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on declining fish stocks.
The conservation efforts have already shown tangible results. Through livelihood diversification programs, over 300 community members have reduced their dependence on fishing. Families like Sudha Chaudhary's in Geruwa, Bardiya, have shifted to commercial farming, earning Rs 50,000 from chili cultivation last year. Others have opened riverside restaurants, started fish farming cooperatives, or engaged in plant-based handicrafts-creating sustainable income while reducing pressure on wild fish stocks.
"Now, we're so busy with handicraft production that we don't have time for fishing," said Maiti Tharuni, 60, one of 18 women artisans in Rajapur who received training and market access through the project.
As part of these efforts, community monitoring groups have been formed to track river health and wildlife presence, including the smooth-coated otter, a species listed on the IUCN Red List and increasingly rare in the western Karnali.
The declaration is the result of collaboration among local governments, community groups, government line agencies and civil society organisations. WWF Nepal provided technical and financial support through the project "Strengthening Communities' Livelihood and Stewardship to Conserve Otters in Karnali", funded by the UK Government under the Darwin Initiative.
The project is being implemented in partnership with the Government of Nepal and local organisations, including Sonaha Bikash Samaj, Freed Kamaiya Women Development Forum, Dolphin Conservation Center and the Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation.
Welcoming the decision, WWF Nepal Country Representative Dr Ghana Shyam Gurung said the sanctuary has the potential to become a national model for freshwater conservation.
"We are deeply grateful that local municipalities have taken ownership and demonstrated bold leadership in making this historic decision," Dr Gurung said. "In this region, fish are not only central to local livelihoods, they are interwoven with cultural and religious fabric."
He added that the initiative also has potential to strengthen nature-based regenerative tourism by protecting the river ecosystem that sustains iconic wildlife such as the gharial, otters, and dolphins.
"When we protect fish, we protect water; when we protect water, we protect life; and when we protect life, we secure our future," he said.
The joint declaration of the Fish Sanctuary in the Lower Karnali River is anticipated to serve as a national model for community-led freshwater ecosystem conservation, contributing to biodiversity protection, food security, and climate-resilient livelihoods in Nepal.
