Capacity Enhancement of the Chaukune RM for the Implementation of AABCA

Pro Public organized a Capacity Enhancement workshop for Chaukune Rural Municipality (RM) on the implementation of the Aquatic Animal Biodiversity Conservation Act (AABCA). The event included 25 participants, comprising elected representatives, including the chair and vice-chair, from Chaukune RM and its wards. Although Chaukune RM endorsed the AABCA in 2023, implementation had been hindered by a lack of capacity.

The two-day training held on July 11 and 12, included eight sessions covering six chapters of the AABCA. The chapters were: (i) Preliminary of AABCA; (ii) Provisions on Protection of Aquatic Life (iii) Arrangements Related to Aquatic Biodiversity Management Committee, Coordinating Council, and Conservation Areas (iv) Community-based Aquaculture and Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation System; (v) Offenses and Fines (v) Miscellaneous. The other two sessions, i.e., Introduction to Aquatic Biodiversity and Its Threats & Best Practices in Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation were also included.

The training was facilitated by Mr. Prakash Dahal, General Secretary of Pro Public; Mr. Babu Ram Poudel, Team Leader of the project; Mr. Jhabindra Adhikari, Project Coordinator; and external expert on aquatic life, Mr. Rajkapur Napit. Mr. Binod Shahi, Senior Program Officer of the USAID Biodiversity (Jal Jangal) Activity, also shared the overall objectives of the Jal Jangal project with the participants.

The training was highly interactive, with participants going through the AABCA line by line to ensure thorough understanding. The participants expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to learn about the AABCA, as many were previously unaware of its details. They have now committed to collaboratively implementing the AABCA effectively.