The number of fish in the Rara River is decreasing due to human activities, such as rising temperatures, decreasing rainfall, and fluctuating water temperatures.
What you should know
Dan Bahadur Rokaya, 59, of Majhaghatta in Chhayanath Municipality, Mugu, used to have a hard time catching fish from Rara Lake until a decade and a half ago. He used to send fish from Rara Lake to cities including Surkhet, Nepalgunj, Kathmandu and others.
‘Everyone was excited when I mentioned Rara’s asala,’ he said, ‘Our fathers used to send asala fish to the king’s palace.’
Balibhadra Rokaya, 57, from Majhaghatta, also spent nearly three decades fishing for asala fish from Rara Lake. ‘Since it is a cold-water fish, it is tasty, healthy and organic,’ he said, ‘Fresh fish could be bought at Gamgadhi market, and 10/15 kg of dried fish would be sent to the city every day.’
Rara National Park banned fishing in Rara Lake, a major tourist destination in Karnali, since 2070 BS, citing the declining fish population. Tourism entrepreneur Devi Krishna Rokaya said that until then, fish was the main source of income for the people around Rara Lake. ‘Until 10 years ago, Asala fish were seen in abundance in Rara,’ he said, ‘The beauty of Rara Lake has also increased due to fish, but it has become difficult to see native fish like Asala.’
Mahesh Neupane, Senior Conservation Officer of Rara National Park, said that Asala fish are declining in Rara due to the effects of climate change and human activities such as increasing temperatures, decreasing rainfall, and changes in water temperature.’ ‘Fish are now facing the risk of food shortages,’ he said, ‘Even with increasing temperatures and pollution, fish numbers are decreasing.’
Two years ago, a research conducted by the park with the help of various organizations found that three types of Asala fish were found in Rara Lake. In Nepal, five types of Asala fish are found. Black, white and thepche species of asala fish are found in Rara, said Dharmajit Saud, information officer of the park. ‘Before the establishment of the park in 2035, there was a dense settlement in Chaprumahadev near Rara Lake. The land around the village was fertile with crops and fruits including wheat, barley, chino, kaguno,’ he said. ‘During the rainy season, there was enough food for the fish when it flowed into the lake. After the decline of aquatic food species, there was no enough food for asala, which affected the growth and development of the fish.’
Recently, the Rara area has become dirty due to the tourists, travelers, locals and hoteliers who have come to Rara. Information officer Saud said that the environment has also deteriorated due to the construction of physical infrastructure in Rara. ‘Fish numbers are also decreasing when harmful substances such as cement, steel, and diesel used in infrastructure construction enter the lake,’ he said. ‘The impact of waste has also been seen in the fish breeding process.’
In 2074 BS, a team of fish experts deployed from Tribhuvan University also conducted research on Rara fish. The research found that the fish were suffering from a disease called “Shippre Tatepate” due to lack of food. Due to which, the research showed that the fish mortality rate had increased.
Similarly, in 2040 BS, a team from a Japanese university studied the Asala fish of Rara Lake and investigated the possibility of rearing them in the surrounding areas. According to animal technician Govinda Malla, who played an assistant role in the research, the team was not successful in the research on Asala fish farming. The team confirmed that fish weighing up to 11 kg can be found in the lake.
According to Dr. Anup Shrestha, Animal Development Officer at the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of Karnali Province, the technology for raising Asala fish has not been developed yet. ‘Its English name is snow trout, its growth, growth and reproductive capacity are also similar to that of trout,’ he said, ‘This fish, found in cold water after melting snow, likes flowing water. Now, freshwater animals are also affecting native fish, and various diseases are also spreading due to this.’
According to him, Asala fish is also found in the Karnali and Bheri rivers, including Rara Lake. But the number of fish is decreasing. A climate of 12 to 15 degrees Celsius is considered suitable for Asala fish.
According to locals, asala fish found in Karnali and Bheri is sold for Rs 1,000 per kilo, while other types of fish are sold for Rs 5 to 800 per kilo. ‘Asala is hard to find, other fish are also decreasing,’ said Prem Bahadur Bik of Tatopani-4, who is engaged in fishing business in Tila Karnali, Jumla. ‘We are selling dried asala fish for Rs 5,000 per kilo.’ According to him, nearly three dozen families who earn their living by fishing have migrated after the number of fish in the river decreased.
Dan Bahadur Budha of Bhadgaun, Soru Rural Municipality-4, who used to catch up to 20 kilos of fish a day in the Mugu Karnali River until a decade ago, complained that it now takes a whole day to get even 5 kilos of fish. According to him, even though the number of fish in Karnali has decreased, the price is increasing. Fish that used to cost Rs 150 per kilo 10 years ago is now being sold for Rs 600 to 800 on the banks of the Karnali River. He said that dried fish is sold for Rs 3,000 to 5,000.
Asala fish is found in water formed by melting snow and flowing at high speed at 1,800 to 3,000 meters above sea level. ‘Asala fish is considered organic, attractive and more healthful than fish found in ponds. Asala fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids,’ he said. ‘There is no circulation of water in the pond, so the technology for raising Asala fish in ponds has not been developed yet.’
Recently, large equipment installed in rivers and streams and human activities have reduced the number of Asala fish found in the cold waters of the Karnali and Bheri rivers, including Rata Lake. ‘This is a migratory fish that does not stay in one place,’ he said, ‘As it flows, it blooms and hatches, but if there is no environment for growth, those hatchlings cannot become fish, which is why the number is decreasing, Asala has reached the point of extinction.’
