𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐋𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧

…𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆

By Leki Chungdon

Kangpara Gewog in Trashigang has taken a pioneering step toward sustainable resource use with the formation of the Kangpara Nyera Ama Community-based Capture Fishery Management Group (CCFMG), the first such initiative in eastern Bhutan.

The initiative follows a consultative meeting held in June, where local residents, stakeholders, and technical experts discussed the feasibility of community-led fisheries. A prefeasibility study conducted with support from the National Research and Development Centre for Riverine and Lake Fisheries (NRDCRLF), Haa, confirmed Kangpara’s potential for developing capture fisheries.

As part of the program, community members received training on fisheries management systems, local regulations, and sustainable harvesting practices. A river survey and fish biodiversity assessment were conducted, and a designated stretch of river was formally marked for collective management. Practical demonstrations highlighted value addition and product diversification, showing how fisheries could generate high-value, low-volume products to support rural incomes.

A socio-economic survey provided insight into community aspirations and opportunities, guiding the group’s management strategy. Members have committed to systematic record-keeping of fish catches to ensure responsible harvests and long-term sustainability. By the end of the week, the community formally named their group Kangpara Nyera Ama CCFMG, signaling the start of a collective effort to protect river ecosystems while improving household livelihoods. The group’s official launch is expected later this year, following the endorsement of its management plan.

Menlam Dorji, Chairperson of the CCFMG, explained that the initiative was born out of concern for the declining fish population in Kangpara’s Nyera Ama Chu. “We formed this group to protect the river’s fish, as the numbers had been falling due to frequent fishing by people living nearby. The group itself is still very new, we established it barely a month ago. At this stage, our focus is on organizing ourselves and planning the establishment of a managed fishery. Only after another month will we begin putting these plans into action. Since it is still the beginning, it is difficult to predict what the short- and long-term benefits will be, but our hope is that it will both conserve the species and create future opportunities for the community.”

Pema Wangchen, Mangmi of Kangpara Gewog, said the concept of community-led fishery management was first proposed several years ago during the Gewog Tshogdey but was delayed due to budgetary and time constraints. “Unlike other rivers, the Nyera Ama Chhu provides little benefit in terms of irrigation or drinking water, but it is well known for its high-quality fish species. Unfortunately, people from nearby gewogs have been engaging in illegal and excessive fishing, posing a serious threat to the river’s fish population. To address this, the Gewog Administration has decided to establish a CCFMG. The group will regulate fishing activities, prevent overexploitation, and ensure healthy fish populations for future generations. Beyond conservation, this initiative is designed to support food security, livelihoods, and economic growth in the community.”

He added, “Fish are naturally rich in high-quality protein, affordable for rural households, and available year-round. By conserving fish resources and preventing overfishing, the initiative secures a sustainable food supply, reduces reliance on imports, and strengthens poverty reduction efforts. It will not only enhance household nutrition but also generate income, create employment opportunities, and improve living standards. In this way, the initiative directly contributes to national priorities of reducing fish imports while strengthening rural livelihoods.”

The bylaws of the CCFMG have been framed in consultation with local beneficiaries and will be enforced with their active participation. Once the group is formally established, all members will be required to abide by these regulations. Fishing will only be permitted through official approval from relevant authorities, and penalties will apply for any violations. Beneficiaries themselves will share responsibility for monitoring one another, ensuring proper permits, and using sustainable fishing methods. Regular meetings, awareness programs, and reporting mechanisms will maintain accountability and transparency, with the Gewog Administration and Dzongkhag authorities intervening in serious cases of non-compliance.

The model also has strong potential for replication. Properly managed community fisheries can enhance rural livelihoods, provide additional income and employment, improve food security through local fish supplies, and promote sustainable resource use by conserving aquatic biodiversity. With the right awareness, training, and institutional support, the model can be expanded beyond Trashigang to other parts of the country.

Challenges remain, particularly labor shortages arising from religious sentiments in the predominantly Buddhist society, where many view fishing as inappropriate. Involving women and youth will be crucial. Women can play a significant role in post-harvest activities such as processing, drying, record-keeping, and marketing, while youth can contribute through sustainable fishing practices, monitoring activities, and innovations such as improved fishing gear, digital record-keeping, and online marketing platforms. Their participation will strengthen inclusiveness, introduce fresh ideas, and ensure long-term sustainability.

Tenzin Tashi, Senior Extension Supervisor of NRDCRLF Haa, said, “Kangpara Gewog has been identified as a suitable site for introducing a community-based capture fishery program due to the presence of the Nyera Ama Chhu, a river that flows through the valley. To date, this river has not been tapped for irrigation or hydropower development, making it an ideal resource for fisheries. The local community has traditionally engaged in small-scale fishing, primarily for self-consumption and household nutrition. Recognizing both the ecological potential and the community’s reliance on this resource, the Livestock Sector of Kangpara Gewog, in collaboration with the Dzongkhag Administration, Trashigang, has initiated the program. This initiative seeks to promote sustainable use of aquatic resources, improve local livelihoods, and establish a model for community-driven fisheries development in eastern Bhutan.”

He said that during feasibility and biodiversity studies, it was observed that the Nyera Ama Chhu supports a moderate level of fish stock, with an average fish size that can be used as an indicator for determining the appropriate age and season for harvest. Furthermore, the studies enabled identification of specific spawning grounds and seasonal migration patterns for breeding purposes. This ecological knowledge, combined with scientific principles of fisheries management, has been incorporated into the community-based management plan. The draft plan emphasizes sustainable harvesting practices, conservation of breeding grounds, and regulated fishing activities to ensure long-term ecological balance and community benefit.

During training, several important topics were discussed to ensure sustainable harvesting and effective management of fisheries resources. Key areas included developing a sense of ownership, encouraging the community to take collective responsibility, demarcation of refuge and no-fishing zones, enforcement of size and broodstock restrictions, bans on destructive fishing practices, clear definition of roles and responsibilities, and fishing quotas and seasonal restrictions. These measures aim to prevent overfishing, protect juvenile and breeding fish, and maintain ecological balance.

Data collected from the Kangpara community-based capture fishery will serve as an important tool for guiding future management decisions. It will provide reliable information on the productivity of the Nyera Ama Chhu, help assess sustainability, and show how capture fisheries contribute to household nutrition, income, and employment. Over time, these findings will allow community members, local authorities, and policymakers to refine management strategies, adjust harvest limits, and identify areas requiring restocking or habitat protection, ensuring responsible management of the river’s resources.

Kangpara Gewog’s initiative represents the first example of establishing a community-based capture fishery management group in eastern Bhutan. This was made possible through the support and collaboration of the Livestock Sector of Kangpara Gewog, the Gewog Administration, and the Dzongkhag Administration. The experience demonstrates that with proper coordination, scientific guidance, and active community participation, fisheries resources can be managed sustainably while contributing to local livelihoods and food security.

Other gewogs can learn from this model that similar opportunities may exist within their rivers and streams that remain underutilized. By adopting Kangpara’s approach, communities can strengthen ownership over local resources, diversify rural income sources, and add value through product diversification. Processing fish into smoked and other high-value, low-volume products provides avenues for niche markets, enhancing both economic returns and the visibility of community-based fisheries.