Chapter 1: introduction

4.3.3 Aquatic Flora and Fauna

Surveys on fish and fishermen were carried out in Kabeli River in October 2010 (by the EIA Consultant) and in July 2013 (by KEL’s fish expert in coordination with an international fish expert). Continuation will be given to the fish sampling during construction and operation of the project to supplement the information required for fish diversityin the Kabeli basin.

Most of the fishermen reported in the area are part-time fishermen. A majority of them go for fishing for recreational purposes in their leisure time. Only a few households have adopted fishing as a profession but only in the non-agricultural periods. They often sell the caught fish, in excess of self-consumption, to the local markets for economic gains. According to the local fishermen and communities, the fish population of the area has been rapidly declining in recent years due to illegal fishing practices, such as pesticide poisoning and electro-fishing. Fish species knowledge of the community majority relates mainly to the Asala and Kabre, which are considered local delicacies. According to a few people, the name Kabeli to the river is taken after Kabre fish, the population of which is currently practically non-existent.

4.3.3.1 Sampling Sites

The following sampling areas (Table 4.22 and 4.23) were assessed during a field study to evaluate the aquatic flora and fauna of the project affected sites:

Table 4.22: Description of Sampling Station of KAHEP Affected Sites (October 2010)

SN	Station Nos.	Sites	District	VDC	Ward No.	Village	River Bank
1	1	Dam Site	Taplejung	Thechmbu	6	Khimuna	Rightside
2	2	Down stream of Dam site	Panchathar	Amarpur	6	Lekadaha	Leftside
3	3	Upsteram of Kabeli confluence with Tamor	Taplejung	Nangkholyang	6	Khahare	Rightside

Source: EIA Field Survey, 2010
Table 4.23: Description of Sampling Station of KAHEP Affected Sites (July 2013)

SN

Station Nos.

Sites

District

VDC

Ward No.

Village

River Bank

1

1

11 KM upstream of dam site

Taplejung

Panchami

5

Panchami Bazar

Left side

2

2

8 KM upstream of dam site

Panchathar

Therpu

5

Dobhan

Left side

3

3

Downstream of dam

Panchather

Amarpur

6

Lekadaha

Leftside

4

4

Kabeli confluence at Tomor

Taplejung

Nangkholyang

6

Khahare

Rightside

Additional Fish survey July 2013