Saving Endangered Tor putitora in the Himalayan foothills
Project overview
The project focuses on the conservation of the Endangered Tor putitora in Nepal, a vital freshwater species facing an alarming decline due to overexploitation and habitat degradation. This species is found in major river systems of Nepal, such as the Kaligandaki, Trishuli, Sunkoshi, Narayani, and Karnali, but its population has significantly dwindled across most of its range due to overfishing using destructive methods, hydropower plants, river mining, and agricultural pollution. The project specifically aims to conserve the Mahseer in the Babai river system in western Nepal.
Threats
Habitat loss & degradation
Over-exploitation of natural resources & prey depletion
Pollution
The Babai River, which is transboundary, originates in the Dang Valley and runs for over 400 km within Nepal. A 40 km stretch of the Babai lies within Bardia National Park, where the river is protected. This population is an important source that undergoes an annual migration cycle along the Babai and Sharada Rivers, making conservation interventions crucial to ensure their annual spawning, juvenile recruitment, and wintering, which are necessary to sustain their population. In this context, the project collaborates with local communities to initiate a community-driven conservation effort by involving local people in habitat protection, recreational fishing tourism, and awareness-raising activities. The project area encompasses major settlements along these rivers, covering approximately 1,590 km².
Project objectives
- Establish protection measures in key Tor putitora habitats.
- Develop a community-managed recreational fishing ecotourism.
- Raise awareness among communities about Tor putitora conservation.
Project activities
- Conduct a fish survey to determine abundance of dominant fish species in the Babai and Sharada rivers.
- Train local people and mobilise them as River Guard Groups (RGG) to better protect habitats.
- Support a community to establish recreational fishing ecotourism.
- Train local youths to conduct community awareness on Tor putitora conservation.
This project is implemented by National Trust for Nature Conservation.
