Dr. Md. Akbal Hussein, Senior Scientist, NARC inaugurating the programme by releasing Sahar fingerlings in the lake

Pokhara valley encompasses nine lakes (Phewa, Begnas, Rupa, Dipang, Maidi, Khaste, Neureni, Kamalpokhari and Gunde), collectively known as the Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley (LCPV). The LCPV is listed as a Ramsar site (2016) providing a myriad of ecosystem services, such as, fisheries, tourism, drinking water, irrigation, and habitat for wetland species, wild animals and birds. However, many alien fish species such as Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) have invaded lake water ecosystem and threatened native fish species such as Sahar Fish (Tor putitora) in these lakes. Sahar, a popular and economically important fish species, is declining in its natural habitat due to the effects of human pressures causing pollution, habitat loss, overfishing, predator increase, competition, degradation of spawning and rearing habitat, and the introduction of invasive species. Though the price of Sahar Fish is high compared to other common carps, no commercial cultivation has begun.  On the other side, the local communities have witnessed an increase in Nile Tilapia, an exotic fish that has affected the population of native fish species of these lakes. Due to the prolific breeding capacity, Nile Tilapia has increased total catch which indicates that it has become invasive thereby competing with native species for food and space. Due to higher catch and low price compared to other fish species, Tilapia has dominated the fish market of Pokhara valley. Hence, the current status of such indigenous fish species like Sahar points to additional strategies for conservation and restoration of native fish species.

Among the nine lakes of Pokhara valley, Kamalpokhari is the smallest lake with an area of 1.01 hectare. This lake is managed entirely by the Dalit community such as Biswakarma. Major natural attractions of the lake include lotus and bird watching. The lake watershed also carries religious significance as it has temples thus devotees throng to the temples during Nagh Panchami (festival of worshipping snakes). Though the lake carries considerable cultural, religious and ecological significance, it had been overshadowed for long. Some of the main threats of the lake are aquatic invasion, siltation, encroachment, and extinction of lotus plants. Mr.  Dil Bahadur BK, Secretary of Kamalpokhari Conservation Committee, who has been in the forefront of the conservation shared, the lake has a lot of potential to attract tourists but it has lost its beauty due to lack of conservation efforts. Though the committee is protecting the lake, our efforts are not enough.