Kathmandu, June 5
A new guideline has been launched in mid-western Nepal to promote the conservation of freshwater and aquatic species living in them.
The new guideline, prepared with help from an NGO (Samudayik Sarathi) to help residents of Geruwa Rural Municipality and Thakurbaba and Madhuban Municipality in mid-western Nepal, was recently made public amid a programme in Bardia.
“We can set an example for other local governments to follow if we can implement this guideline,” said chief guest and Bardia District Coordination Committee vice-chair Man Bahadur Bista.
“I would like to direct the ward chairs of our municipality to include alternative livelihood programmes in the new budget for communities dependent on fishing,” said Madhuban Municipality Deputy mayor Surwani Thapa.
Tara Bahadur Bhandari, executive director of Samudayik Sarathi, shed light on the important aspects of the new guideline. He said that the guidline aims to improve the quality and volume of fresh water, conserve aquatic species, and promote sustainable use of water.
A committee comprising representatives of the three local governments prepred a draft of the guideline, which was then presented before local people by organising townhalls. Suggestions and comments recived during the townhall was then incorporated into the draft. The guideline discourages the use of explosives and electricity to kills fish and prioritises the needs of indigenous communities such as Sonaha, Khunaha and Raji, all of whom are dependent on rivers for their livelihoods.
The guideline was prepared under Samudayik Sarathi’s work in the lower reaches of the Karnali implemented with assistance from USAID’s Paani Program.
