8^th January 2026, Tikapur, Kailali: In a landmark initiative for freshwater biodiversity conservation and sustainable fisheries management in Nepal, Rajapur Municipality and Tikapur Municipality have jointly declared Nepal’s first Fish Sanctuary in the Lower Karnali River on January 8^th, 2026, through a formal public declaration event held in the presence of local government leaders, community representatives, government line agencies, and development partners.

The Fish Sanctuary covers approximately 3.9 sq. km (390 hectares), with boundaries extending from Southern Tedhiya, Rajapur-3, and Chhediya, Rajapur-4, to Arnahawa Phanta, Tikapur-8, within the territorial jurisdictions of both municipalities. The declared river sections have been identified as ecologically significant areas, serving as critical breeding, spawning, and nursery habitats for indigenous fish species, and providing essential habitat for nationally and globally important aquatic fauna, including the Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica), Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), and Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata).

“This sanctuary is a decision jointly initiated, endorsed, and fully owned by Rajapur and Tikapur Municipalities. It reflects our responsibility to lead conservation from the ground up, guided by the voices of our river-dependent communities. This is a decision taken by the people of Rajapur and Tikapur for our own future”, remarked  Mayor Ram Lal Dangaura Tharu of Tikapur.

The Fish Sanctuary has been declared in accordance with the Aquatic Animal and Biodiversity Conservation Act of the local governments, based on decisions duly endorsed by the Municipal Executives of Rajapur Municipality and Tikapur Municipality, following the principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and the issuance of public notices in the respective municipal wards.

“By taking full municipal ownership of this declaration, we affirm that protecting Lower Karnali is our shared duty. This is the beginning of long-term stewardship driven by local government, communities, and coordinated action.” Said Mayor Dipesh Tharu of Rajapur.

Rajapur Municipality and Tikapur Municipality have jointly committed to seven declaration points. The Fish Sanctuary shall be managed under a co-management framework, integrating the leadership of the local governments with the active participation of river-dependent communities.

Community River Stretch Management Groups (CRSMGs) have been established to undertake routine management, monitoring, and awareness-raising activities, under the guidance and oversight of the concerned municipalities and in coordination with the Division Forest Office and relevant security agencies. Particular emphasis has been placed on the meaningful participation of Sonaha and Tharu communities, whose livelihoods and cultural practices are closely linked to the Karnali River.

The declaration is a result of joint efforts of all stakeholders including the river-dependent and other local communities, local government and other government line agencies and CSO partners. WWF Nepal is proud to have contributed to materializing this effort through technical and financial assistance through the “Strengthening Communities’ livelihood and stewardship to conserve otters in Karnali” funded by the UK government under the Darwin initiative. 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).

“We are deeply grateful that local municipalities have taken ownership and demonstrated bold leadership in making this historic decision to declare the Sakhi Fish Sanctuary with the aim of conserving, promoting, and sustainably utilizing their natural resources. In this region, fish are not only central to local livelihoods, they are interwoven with cultural and religious fabric. This initiative also has potential to strengthen nature-based regenerative tourism by protecting the river ecosystem that sustains iconic wildlife such as the gharial, otters, and dolphins. Because when we protect fish, we protect water; when we protect water, we protect life; and when we protect life, we secure our future.”, said Dr. Ghana Shyam Gurung, Country Representative, WWF Nepal.

The joint declaration of the Fish Sanctuary in the Lower Karnali River is anticipated to serve as a national model for community-led freshwater ecosystem conservation, contributing to biodiversity protection, food security, preserving cultural art, tradition and climate-resilient livelihoods in Nepal.

For more information, please contact:
Ms. Sneha Tamrakar
Communications Officer, WWF Nepal
Sneha.tamrakar@wwfnepal.org
9802050178