Nepal to Announce Its First Fish Sanctuary on the Lower Karnali River ( Photos )

Today, in Kailali’s Lower Karnali River, Nepal’s first fish sanctuary is set to be formally announced. Rajapur Municipality and Tikapur Municipality are jointly declaring the Lower Karnali River stretch as the country’s first aquatic sanctuary.

This initiative is being hailed as a historic step toward conserving aquatic biodiversity and promoting sustainable fisheries management in Nepal, expected to protect river-dependent ecosystems while also supporting long-term livelihoods for local communities.

The upcoming fish sanctuary spans approximately 3.9 square kilometers (390 hectares), extending from the southern Tedhiya area of Rajapur Municipality-3 and Khediya of Rajapur Municipality-4 in Bardiya District to the Arnhawa Phantas area of Tikapur Municipality-8 in Kailali District, all within the jurisdictions of both municipalities.

The river sections to be protected are ecologically significant, serving as breeding, spawning and nursery habitats for native fish species, and are also crucial habitats for important aquatic wildlife, including dolphins, gharials, and otters.

The announcement follows a collaborative effort involving river-dependent local communities, local governments, government agencies, civil society groups, and other stakeholders. WWF Nepal has provided technical and financial support through the UK-funded Darwin Initiative project “Strengthening Communities’ Livelihood and Stewardship to Conserve Otters in Karnali.”

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