The Symposium on Cold Water Fishes of the Trans-Himalayan Region, 10-13 July 2001, held in Kathmandu, highlighted the role that fisheries play in providing food and income to people within the Trans-Himalayas and Karakoram. Countries of the Trans-Himalayan region are making efforts to utilize cold water fish for the reduction of poverty and some successful strategies are emerging.
The Kathmandu Symposium put forward a number of priority issues to be addressed in follow-up activities under a Trans-Himalayan regional programme. These include the need for more research, training and education into Himalayan aquatic ecosystems, especially the biology and behaviour of coldwater fish stocks, migration patterns and environmental impacts, for strengthening of fisheries data collection and dissemination, and for improved access to, analysis and synthesis of the existing information and experience. A better integration of fisheries development within the overall ecosystem and rural development approach, under full consideration of ecological, social and economic values of fisheries in relation to agriculture, conservation and hydroelectric generation, is essential if fisheries is to become a more productive source of food in the region and play its full role in poverty alleviation in mountain countries. Another important issue is the need of better understanding of socio-economic conditions and livelihoods of fisher communities. This would assist in formulating better management interventions with the objective of improving livelihoods of fishers and farmers in mountain areas. Better promotion of inter-sectoral cooperation and coordination between fishery and other sectors concerned with rural development and water resources management, and improving communications and exchange of experience and information resulting from the above, require close government attention in the countries of the region. Where resources are shared among neighbouring or several countries, interlinking will assist in solving common problems. The Symposium emphasized the need for policy development, that recognises the social and economic importance of aquatic resources and supports poor aquatic resource users, especially for integrated watershed development, gender equity, and poverty alleviation.
Collaborative action on a regional scale would probably be the most cost-effective way to address these common problems and share experiences. The Symposium therefore recommended regional cooperation among countries of the Trans-Himalayan Region be strengthened for effective sharing and exchange of skills, experiences and technical cooperation. To support this regional cooperation, the Symposium recommended a network for development and conservation of cold water fisheries be established among concerned nations in the Trans-Himalayan Region, coordinated by a centre located in a suitable country within the region. International support was also requested for this important regional initiative.
