Parbat, April 23: Flowing from the foothills of the Annapurna Range through Kaski to Parbat, the Modi Khola was once regarded as a lifeline for local livelihoods, biodiversity and culture. Known as an “energy river,” it is now showing signs of severe stress.
With the rapid expansion of hydropower projects, the river’s natural flow has declined significantly, disrupting both the environment and local ways of life.
Until a few years ago, Modi Khola flowed steadily in its natural rhythm and was famous for its asala fish. Areas such as Birethanti, Nayapul and Ambot were well known for fresh river fish.
Local residents earned a living through fishing, while travellers and domestic tourists often stopped to enjoy the catch. Vehicles travelling to Pokhara and Baglung frequently halted at Ambot for fish.
Today, however, these once-bustling spots are falling silent. As water levels drop, fish populations are disappearing and the fishing-based economy is declining.
Locals say hydropower projects have diverted much of the river’s water into dams, severely disrupting its natural flow. Although regulations require a minimum release of water, they claim enforcement remains weak.
Local rights activist Madhav Paudel said, “Almost all projects on the Modi Khola have diverted the river, leaving it nearly dry. At least 10 percent of the water should be released as per rules, but monitoring is inadequate.”
He warned that the impacts extend beyond aquatic life. “The river itself is under threat. Fish and other species are close to disappearing. Water sources are drying up, forests are being affected, and irrigation shortages are increasing,” he said.
Hydropower development on the river dates back decades. The Nepal Electricity Authority completed the 14-megawatt Modi Khola Hydropower Centre in 2000, followed by the Lower Modi-1 project, which has been operational for over a decade. More recently, the 20-megawatt Lower Modi project came into operation.
In the private sector, the 15.1-megawatt Middle Modi Hydropower Project, backed by the Chaudhary Group, is already in operation.
The Nepal Electricity Authority is also constructing the Upper Modi (40 MW) and Upper Modi ‘A’ (18 MW) projects in the Birethanti area. In total, completed and ongoing projects along the relatively short river amount to around 117.1 megawatts.
Ironically, despite the surge in projects, electricity generation itself is now being affected due to reduced water flow. Upendra Gautam, director of Lower Modi-1, said upstream projects have significantly reduced downstream water availability.
“When the project was designed, we estimated a certain level of water flow, but that is no longer available. Now, generating even more than three megawatts has become difficult,” he said.
While he maintained that their project releases more water than required, he acknowledged the overall decline in river flow—suggesting long-term risks even for hydropower operations.
Local businesses are also feeling the impact. Gaurav Kshetri, a hotel owner in Nayapul, said, “When we were young, we used to fish in the river and serve it in our hotel. People came from far away to eat Modi Khola fish. Now, with the river drying up, fish have disappeared and our business is declining.”
Environmentalists warn that reduced natural flow can cause serious long-term damage. A river is not merely a channel of water but the foundation of an entire ecosystem. While hydropower development is important, maintaining ecological flow is essential.
Stakeholders have called for stricter enforcement of regulations, mandatory release of minimum water by all projects, and regular monitoring. They caution that without timely action, the Modi Khola—once celebrated as an “energy river”—could fade into history. #nepal #river
