Temple ponds and tanks exist throughout Nepal; they range in size from 100 to 5 000 m2 or more water surface. All of the excavated type, some are ornamental and contain fish which must not be caught for religous reasons; others are water supply ponds used mainly to allow water-buffalo to wallow. The latter ponds which have especially fertile water contain a natural fish population or have been stocked with Cirrhina and Labeo rohita. In the Kathmandu valley and Terai some tanks have been stocked with common carp. The carp grow extremely well there, but, since the bottoms of these tanks contain obstructions it is difficult to net the fish. Cropping with fish traps was tried and some of the tanks were cropped when they dried out. These should then be treated with fish poison or unslaked lime. When the rains begin and a reasonable amount of water collects, they can be restocked with carp fry. Tanks which never dry out should be heavily fished with monofilament gillnets, and when catches become small it would be advisable to treat the pond with a fish poison at the end of the dry season and later restock with carp. Development in these tanks is dependent upon the willingness of the controlling authorities to make alterations or to carry out the instructions of the Department of Fisheries.
Much technical assistance was rendered, at the request of the Government, to private fish farms to improve them. Examples follow.
At Jaktapur, Mr. Hari Kumar Shrestha, a progressive farmer, requested a survey of a low lying area. A site of about 8 ha was found suitable for conversion into a fish farm and a 0.7 ha pond was built in 1965. Inlets and outlets were constructed and the pond was operational before the monsoon started. The area has not been increased as the owner has sufficient fish for his personal use.
On Mr. B.B.Thapa's land in Narangat, approximately 10 500 m2 (1 ½ bigha) are suitable for a pond. After clearing the jungle, a survey is to be made and bund lines pegged out.
Mr. T.B.Saha requested a survey of an old river bed within his tobacco farm in Enarva Pakadia. One existing pond of about 1.5 ha was stocked with Cirrhina mrigala. The expert surveyed the area and gave advice on extension and alterations of previously completed plans. Provision was made to avoid heavy flooding and loss of fish. In the meantime, selected common carp fingerlings have been stocked in a well-protected pond on the farm and have grown from 60 g (2 oz) to 1.4 kg (3 lb) within one summer. These will act as breeding stock when the fish farm is completed. When the expert left only two ponds had been completed.
Mr. K.B.Thapa requested a survey of his farm in Narangat as he intended to build a fish farm. The survey showed that 6 ha (over 14 acres) of land could be flooded and used as fish ponds. Plans were made for construction.
