Thimphu, Sep 21 (Representative) Bhutan is becoming an increasingly popular recreational fishing location, generating Nu 3.236 million in fees between 2023 and 2024 from 6,459 anglers, 6,363 of whom were visitors, media reports said. High-end recreational fishing was established in 2022 by amending the Forests and Nature Conservation Rules and Regulations 2017, according to Kuensel. This new tourist product evolved as a result of tourism sector reforms, which allow fishermen to fish in designated mahseer and trout waterways. Recreational fishing, often known as fly-fishing, sport-fishing, or game-fishing, is fishing done primarily for enjoyment or recreation. The scheme, which is managed by the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, attempts to encourage fishing through licences. To make it more accessible, permission rates for Bhutanese residents have been cut, and permits are now available through an online forestry service. Tshering Sonam Wangmo, MoENR’s statistics officer, believes that given Bhutan’s extensive river systems and conservation initiatives, high-end recreational fishing might become an important eco-tourism product.
“This initiative not only enhances adventure tourism but also serves as a conservation by-product that can help generate national revenue,” she said. The software differentiates between conventional and high-end fishing based on the time and location of the fishing. According to the ministry’s data, 6,012 persons picked conventional fishing, while 447 chose high-end fishing. Bhutanese accounted for 291 of those who chose high-end fishing. Community-based campsites have been established at Zarkapla in the Zhemgang Forest Division, with more sites proposed for future development along important fishing river lengths. In 2022, six national freelance anglers and rafting guides participated in a ‘Training of Trainers’ curriculum led by US specialists. So far, approximately 30 local guides have been taught in two groups. “The curriculum for fishing guide training has been developed and henceforth fishing guides will be trained by the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Forestry Research and Training,” according to Tshering Sonam Wangmo. Recreational fishing is only authorised for four fish species: golden mahseer, chocolate mahseer, snow trout, and brown trout.
The Forest and Nature Conservation (Amendment) Rules and Regulations of Bhutan 2022 classify all water bodies as either mahseer or trout waters, with three fishing categories: high-end recreational fishing, normal fishing, and restricted zones. Mahseer waters have three zones for high-end recreational fishing: Manas, Mangdechhu-Drangmechhu-Punatsangchhu-Wangchhu, and Maochhu-Nyera Amachhu-Amochhu. Anglers are permitted to fish in Upper Nyera Amachhu, Kholongchhu, Tangchhu, Dhurchhu, Chumeychhu, Nikkachhu, Phochhu, Upper Maochhu, Phobjikha, Gogona, and Haachhu for high-end recreational Trout fishing. Angling is prohibited in all trout waters during fish spawning in November and December, as well as in mahseer waters in June, July, and August. Sections 171–174 of Bhutan’s Forest and Nature Conservation Act 2023 specify the charges and punishments for unlawful fishing. Similarly, sections 310 and 315 of the Act stipulate that fishing without a valid permission, as defined in sections 171 and 174, will result in legal penalties.