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Promoting Angling-Based Conservation across the Himalayas
The Himalayan Rivers united MIssion
The mission of Himalayan Rivers United is to empower Himalayan communities to conserve and protect river systems and the species that depend on them through the development of responsible angling-based pescatourism.
Local Environmental Stewardship
With ever-increasing demand on ecological resources across the Himalayas, local involvement in protecting and conserving riverine systems and species has become paramount. HRU believes that those who have the most to lose - and to gain - are the very communities that depend on and understand the resources best. By empowering and enabling these communities through education and volunteerism in a scientifically accurate and culturally sensitive manner, HRU is working to make a difference across this critically important region.
Financial Incentives and Investment
Ultimately, financial incentives and investment are necessary in order to empower local Himalayan communities to protect and conserve local resources and to adopt the HRU mantra that "a live fish is worth more than a dead fish." By incentivizing the development of eco-tourism to help alleviate dependence on riverine species for sustenance through conservation-based angling programs and non-angling pescatourism programs, HRU believes that a deeper commitment to conservation can be established in the ecosystems that need it most.
What are the benefits of ANGLING-based conservation?
Environmental Protection and Oversight
Financial and Social Benefits to Local Populations
Financial and Social Benefits to Local Populations
The Himalayan Range is one of the most important regions on Earth supplying water resources to over 30% of the world's population. Recreational anglers provide critical oversight through presence on the rivers thus discouraging illegal fishing practices and share a passionate interest in raising awareness throughout the global angling community.
Financial and Social Benefits to Local Populations
Financial and Social Benefits to Local Populations
Financial and Social Benefits to Local Populations
Local populations stand to benefit greatly by the promotion of angling-based conservation through eco-tourism revenues including lodging, guiding, guest service industry offerings, community infrastructure development, goods and services income, angling tariffs and fishing license fees.
Promotion of a Successful Conservation Model
Financial and Social Benefits to Local Populations
Promotion of a Successful Conservation Model
By promoting the angling-based conservation model across the developing Himalayan region, HRU is working to inspire those at decision-making levels to recognize and implement policies and regulations that will lead to the protection and conservation of this critically important region through the establishment of recreational fishing opportunities.
Threats and Challenges
Illegal Fishing Practices
Illegal fishing practices which include the use of poisons, electricity, gill nets and explosives have devastating effects on fish stocks throughout the Himalayas. In order to curb these practices, HRU promotes sustainable and responsible angling practices which bring financial benefits and increased oversight to these fisheries.
Demand for Hydroelectric Power
As populations skyrocket in countries such as India and China, demand for hydroelectric power escalates as well. Many of the rivers that are dammed to satisfy this ever-growing demand for electricity exist in other countries where the local inhabitants have little say about the profound sacrifices being made.
Pollution and Population Booms
Booming metropolitan population growth leads to higher impacts on surrounding riverine ecosystems. Threats which face these ecosystems include garbage dumping, water contamination, streambed disruption and profound negative impacts on plant and animal species which depend on these rivers for survival.
Donate Now or Join One of Our Himalayan Visits!
We are dedicated to improving the lives of Himalayan communities through promoting conservation-based angling programs in a scientifically accurate and culturally sensitive way. Your contribution today helps us make a difference.
Or, if you wish to join us on one of our annual Volunteer Contributor visits, click here for more information!
