SAVE THE KARNALI CAMPAIGN
The Karnali River is the last free-flowing river of Nepal, and home to community subsistence fishing, abundant wildlife, numerous bird and terrestrial species, along with the golden mahseer, a prized sport fish, and some of the world’s best whitewater rafting. Unfortunately the Karnali is also targeted for many hydropower development, would dewater over 100km of the river by forcing the entire flow through a massive underground tunnels in different sections.
The Nepal River Conservation Trust (NRCT) and Waterkeeper Alliance (WKA) are collaborating to Save the Karnali River from imminent hydropower dams on the main stem. The environmental and social consequences of even one main stem dam has the potential to alter the area irreversibly. The Karnali region should pursue a sustainable hydropower development model to generate 6,000+ MW from other tributaries, while leaving the main stem of Karnali free flowing for ensured conservation of freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem integrity in situ.
The Nepal River Conservation Trust is dedicated to conserving Nepal’s riverine environment and river systems, to promoting the biological health of aquatic organisms, and to protecting and restoring rivers to enhance the health, livelihood, and cultural integrity of Nepal’s river communities. Since its inception in 1995, the NRCT has worked on a variety of river conservation and advocacy projects throughout Nepal, to raise awareness among all river users about the need to conserve Nepal’s rivers.
Waterkeeper Alliance (WKA) is the fastest growing nonprofit solely focused on clean water. WKA ensures that the world’s Waterkeeper groups are as connected to each other as they are to their local waters, organizing the fight for clean water into a coordinated global movement with the goal of swimmable, drinkable and fishable water bodies everywhere. Today, Waterkeeper Alliance unites more than 300 Waterkeeper groups that are on the front lines of the planetary environmental crisis, patrolling and protecting more than 2.5 million square miles of rivers, lakes, and coastal waterways on six continents.
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