Every year on November 21st, communities worldwide come together to celebrate the “World Fisheries Day”, recognizing the vital role fisheries play in sustaining life on our planet. Keeping up with its year-round biodiversity and environmental work under the Karot Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP), the Karot Hydropower Project in partnership with the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) celebrated the ‘World Fisheries Day’ on November 21st by holding two parallel events at the Government Boys Higher Secondary School Beor, Punjab and the other at Azad Patan at the Girls Higher

The theme for the year 2023 was “Build enabling policy environments for small-scale artisanal fisheries”. This year’s theme emphasizes the crucial role of small-scale fishers in sustainable fisheries management. The day is celebrated with aims to highlight the challenges faced by the fisheries sector, such as overfishing, habitat degradation, illegal fishing practices, pollution and the impact of climate change. This day aims to foster a collective commitment towards ensuring the long-term viability of fisheries, preserving aquatic ecosystem and promoting a sustainable future for generations to come.

The event was participated by the local school children, their teachers, and local community members. Besides them, the representatives from Karot Power Company (Pvt) Limited (KPCL) and the Punjab & AJK Forest and Fisheries Departments were also present at their respective events. The Principal of Government Boys Higher Secondary School Beor, delivered welcome remarks. Miss Shaheen Akhtar, Social Mobilizer for the Karot BMP project, provided an overview of the project components to the participants. Later the students of Nature Club gave presentation on local fish including, Tor Putitora (Golden Mahseer), Kashmir Catfish, Spiny Eel (Baam), Common Carp (Gulfam), and Schizothorax Labiatus (Snow Trout).

Mr. Aftab Alam, DGM Health Safety & Environment from KPCL, addressed the students on Fisheries Day. He briefed the participants on the significance of nature conservation and sustainable fisheries practices. Additionally, he shared the measures and commitments of China Three Gorges Corporation and KPCL in safeguarding the local environment and aquatic life. Just late last month, the Karot Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) successfully achieved a critical milestone with the release of 5,000 Mahseer fish stock. This initiative is part of an agreement between the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Karot Power Company Limited (KPCL) to release 300,000 Mahseer fingerlings into the Jehlum River.

CPEC’s flagship project “Karot Hydropower Project already completed its one year of safe operation, with a cumulative power generation of 3.64 billion kilowatt-hours. This is equivalent to saving about 1.59 million tons of standard coal and reducing approximately 3.98 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Karot Hydropower Project is the first large-scale hydropower investment and construction project under the Belt and Road Initiative and the first hydropower investment project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. With a total installed capacity of 720,000 kilowatts (720MW), the plant can meet the electricity needs of over 5 million local residents.

 Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)