Are We Overlooking Our Greatest Natural Asset?

Dr. TENJIPEMBHUTIA

The Teesta never stops flowing. Neither do the Rangeet, Relli, Reshi, Ramman and Jaldhaka. For generations, these rivers have carved our valleys, nourished our forests and sustained life in the hills of Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Sikkim. We admire them for their beauty, depend on them for drinking water and irrigation, and harness them for hydropower. But rarely do we ask a simple question: How much are our rivers really worth?

Most people would answer by looking at the electricity they generate or the water they supply. Yet the true value of these rivers extends far beyond what appears in government records or market prices. Every day, they quietly support agriculture, fisheries, tourism, biodiversity and countless ecological processes that keep our mountain ecosystems alive. This is the hidden economy of Himalayan rivers - an economy that works silently but contributes enormously to the well-being of society.

Take fisheries, for example. The cool, oxygen-rich waters of the Eastern Himalayas provide ideal habitats for species such as rainbow trout, golden mahseer and several indigenous fishes. These are not merely aquatic organisms but they represent livelihoods, nutrition and economic opportunity. Trout produced in the hills commands a premium price in restaurants, while native fish enrich the ecological balance of mountain rivers. Yet fisheries continue to receive far less attention than other sectors, despite possessing tremendous potential for generating employment and rural income.

For decades, the economy of the Eastern Himalayan hills has largely revolved around tea, tourism and horticulture. While these sectors will always remain important, relying on only a few economic activities makes mountain communities vulnerable to climate change, fluctuating markets and changing tourist preferences. Coldwater fisheries should therefore be viewed not as a replacement for traditional livelihoods, but as an opportunity to diversify rural incomes and strengthen the resilience of hill communities.

As agriculture in the hills becomes increasingly uncertain due to shrinking landholdings, erratic rainfall and landslides, coldwater fisheries offer an important opportunity to diversify livelihoods. Beyond producing fish, they support hatcheries, feed suppliers, transporters, restaurants, local markets and tourism operators. Women's self-help groups can participate in value addition, while local youth can establish hatcheries, fish farms and angling services. When fisheries grow, many other small businesses grow with them.

The rivers themselves also fuel tourism- one of the strongest pillars of the hill economy. Every year, thousands of visitors travel to the Eastern Himalayas in search of scenic landscapes and peaceful escapes. Imagine if these visitors could also enjoy professionally managed recreational angling, guided river walks, trout farm visits and riverside cafes serving fresh local fish. Such experiences are common in countries like New Zealand, Norway and Scotland, where rivers are valued not only for their ecological importance but also for the livelihoods they generate. There is no reason why the Eastern Himalayas cannot develop similar models that combine conservation with economic opportunity.

Ironically,while rivers contribute so much to our economy, they receive far less protection than they deserve. Climate change is altering rainfall patterns, reducing spring discharge and gradually warming mountain streams. Deforestation, unplanned construction, excessive extraction of sand and boulders, pollution and poorly planned infrastructure projects are placing increasing pressure on fragile river ecosystems. These changes threaten fish populations, reduce water quality and weaken the very natural systems that sustain both people and wildlife.

The greatest mistake we often make is viewing rivers through only one lens. One department sees irrigation. Another sees hydropower. Others focus on drinking water or tourism. Rarely do we recognize that a river is a living ecosystem where every service is interconnected. A healthy river supports fish. Healthy fish attract tourists. Tourism generates employment. Forests protect rivers, and rivers sustain agriculture. Ignoring one part of this chain ultimately weakens the whole system.

This is where the idea of the Blue Economy becomes relevant. Many people associate the Blue Economy only with oceans and coastal regions. In reality, our rivers, lakes and reservoirs are equally important components of India's blue economy. If managed sustainably, they can generate employment, improve nutrition, strengthen local enterprises and conserve biodiversity simultaneously. For the Eastern Himalayas, the Blue Economy is not a distant concept-it is already flowing through our valleys.

The Eastern Himalayas already possess the ingredients needed to unlock this potential-abundant freshwater resources, favourable climatic conditions, growing tourism and communities with generations of traditional knowledge. What is needed now is greater investment in fish hatcheries, skill development, value addition, scientific management and community participation

The responsibility for unlocking this potential does not lie with governments alone. Local communities, educational institutions, researchers, civil society organizations and every citizen have a role to play in protecting Himalayan rivers. Conservation is not simply about safeguarding fish or forests; it is about securing livelihoods, food security and economic opportunities for future generations.

The Eastern Himalayas have earned global recognition for Darjeeling Tea, Sikkim's organic farming and Kalimpong's floriculture. Perhaps it is now time for another identity to emerge- one that recognizes our rivers as living economic assets capable of supporting sustainable fisheries, responsible tourism and resilient rural livelihoods.

The Teesta and the Rangeet have flowed through these mountains long before roads, dams and towns existed. Whether they continue to sustain future generations depends on the choices we make today. If we value these rivers only for the water they carry, we will overlook one of the greatest economic resources of our hills. But if we recognize their hidden economy, they can continue to nourish not only our forests and farms, but also the aspirations of the people who call these mountains home.

(Email: tenzipem2@gmail.com)