Caption
INLAND FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FISH
FARMS. Nepal, 1969
In 1965, the Government established an Agricultural 5-year Plan with top priority given to Fisheries development. Due to the scarcity of meat and because of certain religious restrictions, the people's diet lacks animal protein. Fish, on the other hand, is generally accepted and liked. The Government asked FAO for technical assistance in developing and expanding existing fish culture facilities and, through demonstrations, to encourage villages and individuals to construct and operate fish ponds. Two Government commercial fish farms were established; the first at Pipley Hetsura, on the Terai plain, the second at Bhandara Hardi, on the Rapti plain. Workers on the UNDP sponsored project received food aid through the UN/FAO World Food Programme.
Fish ponds at Bhandara are excavated by hand. To ensure that the pond base will be level (essential for draining) the excavated earth, before removal, is spaced in mounds of uniform size.