Cage Fish Culture: An Alternative Livelihood Option for Communities Displaced by Reservoir Impoundment in Kulekhani, Nepal

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.