KATHMANDU, MARCH 12
A phone call interrupted Aashish Kapali's quiet afternoon. The voice on the other end was urgent: "There's a body of an otter floating by the riverbank." As a program associate at the Freshwater Program under the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Tikapur, Kailali, Kapali knew this was a serious matter. Without hesitation, he rushed to the site.
When he arrived, the body had already been pulled to shore by the local monitoring group. With a heavy heart, Kapali approached, preparing for the worst. However, upon closer inspection, he exhaled in relief. "It's not an otter," he announced. "It might be a dog or another wild animal."
He explains that otters can be identified by their unique tails, which are typically long and muscular, helping them swim and paddle efficiently in the river. However, this one has a thin tail, which is unusual for an otter. The group was surprised, but their diligence was not in vain. The fact that they had promptly reported a suspected otter death highlighted their dedication to the conservation efforts underway.
A disappearing presence
Otters, members of the mustelid family, are shy, elusive creatures. Nepal is home to three species: the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), the smooth-coated otter (Lutra perspicillata), and the small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus). The smooth-coated otter, the primary focus of conservation efforts, is found along the Karnali River and its tributaries. Though once abundant, their numbers have dwindled, with many locals claiming they were far more common in their grandparents' time.
Although smooth-coated otters are recorded in areas like Karnali, Bardia National Park, and Shuklaphanta National Park, their exact distribution remains unclear due to limited surveys. Listed on the IUCN Red List, their populations are believed to be declining, particularly in the western channel of the Karnali River.
Fishermen like Arun Sonaha, 27, from Rajapur, recall days when otters could be seen, playing and fishing alongside them. "They were not afraid of us," he says. "But now, it's rare to see even one." The decline of otters is attributed to habitat destruction, pollution, overfishing, and retaliatory killings by fishermen who see otters as competition.
Conflict and coexistence
For generations, the Sonaha and Tharu communities have relied on the Karnali River for their livelihood. Fishing is a deeply rooted tradition, but it has led to unintended consequences. Otters, drawn to the easy meals, frequently enter dhaduwa (overnight fish traps) to eat the trapped fish, damaging the nets in the process. This has led to frustration and retaliatory actions, including the killing of otter pups and the destruction of their nests.
"In my grandfather's time, otters used to hold some cultural significance due to their perceived similarities with Guruwa - traditional healers or shamans of the Tharu communities," Ram Swarup Chaudhary, a staffer at the Dolphin Conservation Center of WWF in Bhanjani, Kailali said. He shared his grandfather's observations: "Among a group of otters, one would dance or move along the riverbank while the others remained still. When the dancing otter entered the river, the rest would follow. This behavior resembled the rituals of the Guruwa.
Ram Swarup recalled that during his grandfather's and father's time, otters were abundant in the western channel of the Karnali River and were frequently sighted by fishermen. While hunting and poaching for otter fur were rare, retaliatory attacks were more common. "Some households still keep otter fur, believed to have medicinal and healing properties," he added.
Today, however, otter sightings have become rare. "I have never seen one myself," Ram Swarup admitted. "Most sightings are reported by fishermen who work during dawn and dusk, when otters are most active."
According to Kapali, the decline in otter populations is largely due to the diminishing fish stocks in the Karnali River, caused by overfishing, pollution, and riverbed mining, which destroy and damage otter habitats.
"To protect the otters and their habitats, it is essential to address the over-dependence of local communities on the river for their livelihoods, which has contributed to the decline in fish populations and other ecological issues."
Community-led conservation efforts
To address these challenges, WWF Nepal, in collaboration with local partners, has launched the project "Strengthening Communities' Livelihood and Stewardship to Conserve Otters in Karnali." Funded by the UK Government through the Darwin Initiative, the project aims to reduce local dependence on river resources by providing alternative livelihood options. It targets six conservation hotspots, forming 15 Community River Stretch Management Groups (CRSMGs) with 375 members-68% of whom are women. It focuses on community-based river management, livelihood diversification, and otter habitat conservation. Its goals are to protect otter populations and improve the lives of the indigenous Tharu and Sonaha communities. To ensure sustainability, CRSMGs monitor a 1–2.5 km stretch of the river, advise fishermen on sustainable practices, and document fish populations. Their advice includes using larger mesh nets to prevent juvenile fish from being caught, allowing fish stocks to replenish.
"We can only advise, not enforce," admitted Buddhisingh Tharu from the Himal Community River Stretch Management Group. "But we see change. Around 50 fishermen have already switched to larger mesh nets."
To raise awareness, the project launched an otter mascot named "Sakhi" (meaning "friend" in Tharu) and selected 45 Otter Champions to lead community-based conservation efforts. These initiatives aim to reduce the reliance of the Sonaha and Tharu communities on river resources, particularly unsustainable fishing practices. It provides training, technical support, and access to finance for market-based enterprises, helping communities diversify their livelihoods.
Building new futures
Arun Sonaha, also one of the otter champions, echoed this sentiment. "Fishing is our tradition, but we must be responsible. I've seen the decline myself. I used to catch large fish easily; now, even a one-kilogram catch is rare."
Kapali frequently receives reports from "Otter Champions"-local youth conservationists trained by the project. Arun, who lives along an otter hotspot, often provides valuable insights. Camera traps placed based on his tips have captured evidence of otter activity, although the animals' sensitivity to infrared makes them hard to record.
"We see them at night while fishing," Arun noted. "They do their thing, we do ours. We rarely interfere. But there are fewer now. Human activity has disrupted their habitat." Thanks to the project's livelihood program, Arun has opened a riverside restaurant, reducing his reliance on fishing.
Sudha Chaudhary, 45, from Geruwa, Bardiya, is among the beneficiaries of livelihood diversification. Previously reliant on seasonal vegetable farming and fishing, her life changed after participating in a three-month training program. Held once a week, the training equipped her with knowledge of commercial farming, including crops like chilies, cucumbers, and black-eyed peas, as well as tunneling techniques.
Last year, Sudha planted chilies and earned a profit of Rs 50,000-greatly relieving her family, which had struggled to fund the education of her four daughters. Two of them study in Kathmandu, one pursuing chartered accountancy, another in Nepalgunj, while the youngest remains at home. Unlike previous years, when the family had to take loans for their education, Sudha could now support them with her earnings. "This project has been a lifesaver for people like us who were overly dependent on the river's limited income. I haven't had to go fishing in a long time," she said. The project provided seeds, plastic for tunnels, pesticides, and market access.
Samjhana Sonaha, 45, shares a similar story. Once dependent on the river, she now runs a restaurant in Bardiya. "Business has its ups and downs, but using my skills for a stable livelihood is better than struggling with unpredictable fishing," she recalls. She remembers a time when she couldn't sell the fish she had prepared. Today, despite occasional slow days, her business provides stability for her family of six. Her son, who used to migrate to cities in Nepal and India for work, now helps manage and expand the restaurant. Since opening the business, she has barely returned to the river, where her family once spent most of their time.
Kapali explained that families like Sudha's and Samjhana's were selected for the program based on their heavy reliance on fishing and their dependence on the river for survival.
In Himalipur, Rajapur-1, Bardiya, a group of seven has started collective fish farming with project support. They received fish fry and feed from the program. In their first year, they sold 166 kg of fish. Chot Lal Sonaha, 52, chair of the Jharana group, said, "Although fish are usually ready in nine months, we managed to sell ours within seven months." Nearby, Bhelahi Sonaha, 70, another beneficiary, tends to the goats she received through the project.
Bhagawati Shah, chairperson of the Sharad Saana Kishan Cooperative, noted significant improvements among beneficiaries. Her cooperative, one of three receiving project investments of Rs 7 lakh each, provides Rs 40,000 loans at a 6% interest rate without collateral. So far, 23 people have availed themselves of these loans, with around 100 eligible. Beneficiaries include those starting businesses and those needing additional capital. In total, over 300 people from 15 CRSMGs and 375 members will benefit from the cooperatives.
Loans support ventures such as goat farming, fish farming, pig farming, vegetable cultivation, and small businesses like paan shops. "Most recipients lived along the river and depended on it for their livelihood. Now, their focus has shifted to business, reducing their reliance on fishing," Shah explained.
In Rajapur-3, 18 women are engaged in plant-based handicrafts. After an initial 15-day training program, they received an additional one-month advanced course to meet market demands. "At first, they made traditional designs, but we introduced advanced training to align with market needs, such as producing trendy laundry baskets," Kapali said.
Maiti Tharuni, 60, one of the artisans, displayed a traditional plant-based basket. "We've always had these skills, but now we've learned modern techniques. We can't even meet market demand," she shared. While small items take 30 minutes to craft, complex designs require up to four days. "Now, we're so busy with handicraft production that we don't have time for fishing," she added.
Kapali emphasized the project's role in providing raw materials and market access. "We assured them that if they couldn't sell locally, we would buy their products. Now, they supply both local markets and Kathmandu through the project."
The project also offers training in cucumber farming and tailoring. Currently, 15 trainees are undergoing tailoring training, with sewing machines to be provided upon completion. "If they choose to start a business, they'll receive additional support, provided they contribute some investment. We don't offer full financing because personal investment fosters commitment and ownership," Kapali added.
A sanctuary for otters
Another major initiative is establishing a protected fish sanctuary where fishing will be restricted. While Tikapur Municipality has implemented fishing regulations, gaps remain regarding protected water zones. "We are working on guidelines in Rajapur to create a fish sanctuary, enhancing biodiversity conservation in the western Karnali River," Kapali said.
Since a complete fishing ban is impractical, the focus is on seasonal restrictions to allow fish populations to recover, benefiting both otters and local communities. The initiative also aims to ban small-mesh nets to prevent juvenile fish from being caught prematurely.
"We seek to establish an area free from ecological damage, a true sanctuary for otters, dolphins, and other aquatic species," Kapali concluded.
The smooth-coated otter is a focal species in WWF Nepal's current strategic plan. To ensure its conservation, WWF Nepal is working closely with local communities to develop a community-based monitoring protocol and raise awareness through targeted conservation programs.
The project in Kailali, launched in June 2023, is a collaboration between the Nepal Government, WWF Nepal, and local partners: Sonaha Bikash Samaj (SBS), Freed Kamaiya Women Development Forum (FKWDF), Dolphin Conservation Center (DCC), and Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation (SMCRF).
