This project aims to conserve indigenous fish species in the East Rapti River basin of Nepal through carp-small indigenous species (CARP-SIS) polyculture. The 2-year project, funded by UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme, is being implemented in 4 villages covering the East Rapti and its tributaries. The goal is to increase incomes, improve nutrition, protect water resources, and preserve fish biodiversity. 37 indigenous fish species were identified and stocked in household ponds along with 4 carp species. Water quality is monitored and fish are fed locally available low-cost feeds. The project has benefited local communities and shown good growth and productivity of cultured fish. MDI has also acquired land to develop

1. www.mdinepal.org
shrestha.khop@gmail.com

2. Project Scenario
• Title of the Project: Conservation of Indigenous Fish
Bio-diversity in East Rapti River
Basin (ERB) through CARP-SIS
Polyculture
(NEP/SGP/OP5/Y1/CORE/12/10)
• Project Duration: 2 years ( Nov 2012 – Dec 2014)
• Total Budget: USD 28,472
• Funding Support: UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme
of Nepal
• Coverage VDCs: 4 VDCs of west Makawanpur
(watershed areas of East Rapti river basin
with its tributaries (Manahari & Lothar river)

3. Project Location
• Nepal in the world map
• Makawanpur district in the
central south part of the country
• Northwest part of the
Makawanpur district
(CARP-SIS Project Area)

4. Objective of the Project
• The overall goal of the
project is to conserve and
promote indigenous small
fish species of East Rapti
river basin through CARP-
SIS polyculture with the aim
of increasing cash incomes
of indigenous communities,
improving nutrition,
protecting water resources
and preserving fish
biodiversity in the local
water bodies.
Watershed Areas of East Rapti River Basin
(Altitude Range 400-600 m)

5. Fish ponds at the foot hills of Kankada
VDC

8. Achievement

9. CARP-SIS Mixtures
37 SIS have been identified and few of them such
as;
•Pothi (Puntius sophore),
•Pothi/sidhara (Puntius chonchonius), Dedhuwa
(Esomus danricus),
•Faketa (Raiamas bola),
•Khasre (Barilius bendelisis),
•Gardi (Labeo dero),
Mara/Dhawai (Amblypharyngodn mola) was not
found.
The Carp species mixed are
•Rohu (Labeo rohita),
•Naini (Cirrihinus mrigala),
•Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
•Ggrass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).
These local species were identified by Mr. Dilip
Kumar Jha, Associate Professor of Agriculture &
Forestry University (AFU) of Rampur, Nepal.

10. SIS Collection, Preservation & Labeling

11. Beneficiary HHs

12. Pond Type & Size

13. Water Quality

14. Feeds & Associated Costs
1 USD = Rs. 100 (Approx.)

15. Profit & Loss

16. Expected Productivity

17. Mortality

18. Major Problems Observed

19. Responses over the services provided

20. Mr. Bhuwan Karki, Under Secretary from Ministry of Finance &
other Representatives from Line Ministries of Kathmandu,
Nepal observing CARP-SIS Project of Makawanpur during 29-
30 November 2013

21. And, beyond this….
• MDI has now been able to
acquire 2.3 ha. of land of its
own recently in Chitwan
(Bhandara) for developing a
well managed CARP-SIS
hatchery & grow out ponds
for sustaining extension
services to the communities
on longer term.
• Farm designing works are
under consultation.