Abstract
In Nepal, fisheries and aquaculture were hardly envisaged during the planning of the hydropower project inception phase of the impoundment of Kulekhani Reservoir. However, one of the joint projects between the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada and the Government of Nepal demonstrated that cage fish cultivation in the reservoir is a promising alternative livelihood option for displaced communities. Impoundment of these riverine waters left most aboriginal communities who had been living in the valleys subjected to impoundment, depriving them of livelihood assets they have enjoyed for generations. However, adoption of plankton-based cage fish culture has demonstrated that such displaced communities can be successful in fish farming as an alternative livelihood opportunity. Such “no feed” farming systems seem to fit more appropriately into the needs of the farmers living around Kulekhani, and offer an increased potential for long-term sustainability. Among 500 families displaced in 1982 due to impoundment, nearly 81% adopted cage fish farming in the reservoir. A total of 231 families are now organized into 11 farmer groups as part of an amalgamated fish farmers' association. Most recent data show that the total fish production from the reservoir approximates 165 tons (2005/2006 data), of which 130 tons were from cage culture. Production has been ongoing for a period of 21 years, and all these communities have been able to generate a higher income, which consequently have resulted in significant improvements to their livelihoods leading to associated benefits such as sustaining the schooling of their children from primary to university levels. Data indicate that livelihoods could be further improved if a sustainable fingerlings supply mechanism could be developed in Kulekhani. It is also important to note that over the years cage fish farming in the reservoir also stimulated the development of a capture fishery, based on escapees and naturally recruited species, all of which have significantly contributed to increasing a fresh affordable animal protein source to the nearby communities.
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Acknowledgment
We are thankful to IDRC project on inland fisheries in Kulekhani, which enlarged to such an extent that it provides livelihood for several hundred people who never had the experience of fish farming before. Special thanks to Prof. Sena De Silva, Director General, Network of Aquaculture Centers in Asia-Pacific (NACA), whose efforts on cage fish culture could contribute as an alternative job opportunity to displaced communities in Kulekhani Reservoir. Our sincere gratitude to all who contributed directly or indirectly to make cage fish culture project a success in Kulekhani. The contribution of Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative, Department of Agriculture and Nepal Agricultural Research Council is acknowledged. We also thank Nepal Electricity Authority for providing necessary support to cage fish culture program. Our sincere thanks are also extended to all farmers group for their cooperation. Special thanks to Mr. Sahdev Kumar Rimal, the Secretary, Indrasarobar Fish Growers Association, Markhu; Mr. Jay Dev Bista and Mr. Suresh Kumar Wagle Senior Scientist, Fisheries Research Station, Pokhara; and Dr. Madhav Kumar Shrestha, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Rampur Campus, Tribhuvan University for their support. Fund for this study was provided by ICEAID.
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Gurung, T.B. et al. (2010). Cage Fish Culture: An Alternative Livelihood Option for Communities Displaced by Reservoir Impoundment in Kulekhani, Nepal. In: De Silva, S.S., Davy, F.B. (eds) Success Stories in Asian Aquaculture. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3087-0_5
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