Traditional but Eco-friendly fishing in the Nepalese village

By Sagar Saud

There are many traditional techniques of fishing in Nepal. Jaal (fishing net), Solo, Dwali, Teep, Hooking, etc are traditional but eco-friendly fishing methods. These methods do not harm river organisms and eco-system. In the past days, fishing used to be done in these ways. But in present days such methods are vanishing. Instead, using electricity current, bombing and poisoning are present day eco-harming and illegal ways of fishing in rivers and lakes. 

Among them, Teep is one of the best traditional but eco-friendly technique of fishing in running rivers mostly in winter season. In Teep, the small stream of river is canalized and then the water flow is narrowed down the pass  to fall down on the Teep as shown in the photos and video. Small stone wall is built spreading wooden sticks or bars over them in such a way that the water would pour down and fish would trap in the box.

This is a photo of Teep built on Rangoon River that lies in Rangoon valley, Dadeldhura, Nepal. This river originates from Mahabharat hill and runs downwards to Mahakali river. It is more than 50 km long. In the past this river was famous for tasty and plenty of fish. 

Rangun river runs through the Rangun valley that lies in present-day Parashuram municipality and Aalital Rural municipality, Dadeldhura district Nepal. Rangun valley or Jogbudha valley is the smallest inner terrain valley of Nepal. This valley has plain lands and plates which are fertile for farming. This valley is rich in natural resources like forest and construction materials like sand, stone, concretes, woods and like that. This valley is most populous area of this district. 

But these days due to population increment, deforestation, and urbanization the amount of water is decreasing per year. The availability of fish is also lessening because of uncontrolled and illegal ways of fishing like bombing, using electricity current and poisoning. In this Teep, there can be seen no fish trapped in rather one can see the plastic bottles, plastic sandals, plastic bags and a dead snake trapped in. This means that the river has been polluted with plastics. 

This hut is called Teep hut. The owner/owners of the Teep makes such a small hut of straw roof to stay at night there. They lit fire and have fish by burning or cooking at night. Mostly, village youths after completing the winter wheat farming build Teep in the river for fishing. They enjoy night out there. This is one of the most prevalent way of enjoyment in village particularly in the past days not now.

Nowadays, the availability of fish in this river is very low. The amount of water flow is decreasing per year. People have become so aggressive and so rude to fishing in the river that they stealthily use electricity current, bombing and poisoning to kill fish. So that big fish are rare in this river.

Fish Teep in Rangoon river, Jogbudha, Dadeldhura, Nepal

Rangun valley, Rangun river, jogbudha, Nepal

Fishing hut for night stay at river bank, Rangoon River, Jogbudha, Nepal