The small stream such as Manahari, Lothar, Twangra and Masine, which drain its water in the Rapti River constitute the east Rapti river basin (ERB) in Chitwan Valley within the inner terrain of Nepal. The Rapti River after joining the Narayani River at Dolaghat in Chitwan escapes out of country through Tribeni Susta. In between the Rapti river constitutes northern boundary of Chitawan National Park.The small tributaries and the Rapti rivers supports diverse fish fauna including small indigenous species such as Mara (Amblypharyngodonmola), Dedhwa (Esomusdanricus) and Pothi (Puntiussophore) which are considered as highly valuable source of macro and micro-nutrients. But the fish stock in these significant water bodies are shrinking at an alarming rate due to destructive fishing such as electric fishing, dynamiting, poisoning and over use of insecticides and pesticides. Mostly the indigenous peoples like Tamang, Chepang, Bankariya are engaged in the capture fishing.
On the other hand, the small indigenous species (SIS) are rich is Vitamins and minerals as compared to larger Carp fish such as bighead carps, silver carps, Rohu, Naini and Mrigal. Thus the project aims to introduce CARP-SIS polyculture sytem at community level. The technology has recently been developed by Bangladesh Agriculture University (BAU) and successfully tested in Chitwan by the experts of the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Rampur, Nepal in 2010-2012 with financial support of the Embassy of Denmark. In this system, Small Indigenous Species (SIS) mixed with some exotic carp species through polyculture system. The system has potential of producing additional 10% higher productivity.
This project complement with the COMDEKS project in Makawanpur.