Posted on June, 30 2023

30^th June 2023, Kailali: The project “Strengthening Communities’ livelihood and stewardship to conserve otters in Karnali” funded by the UK government under the Darwin initiative has been launched in Tikapur, Kailali. 
 
The Lower Karnali Watershed in Nepal's Terai Arc Landscape is home to indigenous river-dependent communities and diverse aquatic biodiversity. Considering its significance, the Government of Nepal has prioritized the western channel of Karnali River as an ecological corridor and the eastern channel is included in Bardia National Park buffer zone.
 
The watershed provides a rich mosaic of habitats that includes rivers, riverine forests, floodplain grasslands and oxbow lakes which is suitable for a large number of fish species and provides habitat for many IUCN Red List species such as Gharial Crocodile (critically endangered), Mugger Crocodile (vulnerable), Gangetic River Dolphin (endangered) and Smooth-Coated Otter (vulnerable). However, illegal, and destructive fishing and habitat disturbance caused by river aggregates extraction have severely depleted fish populations, threatening the biodiversity as well as the traditional livelihoods of Tharu and Sonaha communities.
 
This project’s priority species, the Smooth coated otters are a key indicator species for freshwater ecosystems and play a vital role in ecosytem balance as the top apex predator. They are sensitive to habitat destruction and water pollution and are currently listed as ‘vulnerable’ under the IUCN Red list. Being found in one of the world’s most human dominated and economically poor landscape, their ecological requirements often conflict with human food and water security.
 
The project aims to improve the wellbeing of marginalized river-dependent households in the Lower Karnali Watershed, Western Nepal. It focuses on inclusive community-based river stretch co-management, livelihood diversification, and the conservation of otter habitats by addressing the challenges of intensive fishing practices, habitat destruction, and unsustainable river aggregates extraction. The project aims to secure viable populations of otters and enhance the livelihoods of indigenous Tharu and Sonaha communities. Furthermore, the project will work on institutional capacity strengthening of government agencies and creating enabling conditions for otter conservation. 
 
The project is  a collaboration between Nepal Government, WWF Nepal and local partners Sonaha Bikash Samaj (SBS), Freed Kamaiya Women Development Forum (FKWDF), Dolphin Conservation Center (DCC), Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation (SMCRF).
 
“I believe this project will enhance resilience of river dependent households, increase conservation stewardship leading to safeguard Otter and other freshwater biodiversity in Karnali River.” Said Mr Rajesh Sada, Head of Freshwater Programs, WWF Nepal.
 
 
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Sneha Tamrakar
Communications Officer, WWF Nepal
Sneha.tamrakar@wwfnepal.org
9802050178