Locals of Gopalnagar in Madi Municipality-7 have turned to fish after pestered by wild animals that would destroy their crops.

Villagers who used to plant paddy in the fields have now started fish farming in their land, and they say the switch has been paying off quite well.

Indra Bahadur Katwal, a farmer from Gopalnagar, said wild beasts from the Chitwan National Park (CNP) used to destroy crops causing huge losses to farmers.

“Fish farming is a good idea, as we don’t have to worry about the destruction by wild beasts,” said Katwal who is using his 12 kattha of land for pisciculture.

A little more than 100 farmers who used to plant paddy in their fields have started fish farming in the village.

According to Gopalnagar Fish Production and Distribution Cooperative Limited, the farmers have been doing financial transactions to the tune of Rs 70.8 million a year.