Save Kashmir’s Trout

The recent large-scale killing of trout in a stream of Dachigam in Srinagar by use of bleaching powder is the tip of an ice-berg that shows how this cold water species is facing an onslaught of human greed.

Kashmir’s unique climate and glacier-fed and oxygen rich streams are best suited for trout breeding. Rainbow trout are an important part of our eco-system. Its harvesting is strictly restricted to fishing beats in various streams of Kashmir to allow its population to grow. However, in absence of proper regulation, trout is facing various challenges in pursuit of its survival.

As per the Fisheries Department, the first batch of trout ova of 10,000 eggs was imported from the United Kingdom in 1899 by the Duke of Bedford. However the ova could not survive in the absence of air transport.

The second shipment of trout ova arrived in Kashmir from Scotland on December 19, 1900 through J.S.Macdonall. Out of 1800 fry, 1000 were transferred to Panzagam Dachigam and rest were reared in premises of a private carpet factory at Baghi Dilawar Khan.

Subsequently Mother Trout Fish Farming Project was set up in Kokernag area in south Kashmir under European Union Assistance. Then a Trout hatchery was set up at Laribal. Gradually several trout rearing units and hatcheries came up in various areas of Kashmir. Subsequently trout population increased in Kashmir streams.

Rich availability of trout attracted foreign anglers. There was restricted angling in gushing streams and one had to obtain a permit to catch a limited quantity of six trout for a person in a day at fishing beats in streams.

This was done to maintain balance of trout population. Kashmir earned the sobriquet of Anglers' Paradise owing to trout rich gushing streams including Lidder, Sukhnag, Wangath, Hirpora, Gurez, Bringi, Kishanganga, Sindh, Erin, Ferozpora, Tangmarg, Kokernag and Aharbal.

Rainbow and brown trout of Kashmir are in high demand in various states of the country. Trout reared in Kashmir streams is said to be less spongy, has fewer scales, tender bones and are mostly disease free than its counterparts in other states.

One of the major challenges confronting trout in Kashmir is illegal riverbed mining in various streams. As part of its habitat, trout likes to pass through gushing streams with boulders and cobble stones. The use of heavy machinery for riverbed mining is spelling doom on trout population and destroying its habitat.

The high demand for boulders and sand has led to its illegal extraction by heavy machines like JCBs devastating hydrology of streams and habitat of trout.

On May 24 this year, over 2500 trout died at a private fish farm at Donkulibagh area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district after water supply to the unit was blocked due to haphazard extraction of stones from a stream.

In October last year, hundreds of trout were found dead in nallah Sindh at Sumbal Bala due to poisoning by bleaching powder.

As this was not enough, increasing pollution levels in streams across Kashmir is slowly killing trout. Increasing footfall of people to eco-fragile areas housing freshwater streams and unscientific disposal of sewage and solid waste is taking a toll on trout and destroying its habitat.

Then there is the serious issue of illegal means to catch trout. In absence of monitoring by the Fisheries Department, unscrupulous people use bleaching powder to kill and catch trout in streams. This unethical method is mostly used when there is low water level in streams and bleaching powder makes high concentration levels in water!

The use of bleaching is strictly restricted to cleaning of drinking water in filtration plants by the PHE department. There is a need to conduct a thorough probe on how bleaching powder is procured by unscrupulous persons to kill trout. Then there is use of nets which catch trout of all sizes severely affecting breeding of the species.

The blatant use of pesticides, insecticides and other chemicals in orchards close to streams is slowly leading to decline in trout population. Construction of hydroelectric projects and dams has already knelt death blow to trout.

There is also massive siltation of streams due to deforestation in upper reaches of the valley. Siltation severely affects the habitat of trout and affects its movement downstream.
Trout has immense ecological and economical value. There were strict legislations under British and Dogra rule to ensure protection to trout to let the population of species thrive.

Fisheries department must strictly ensure implementation of regulation in angling beats from April to September every year. Besides patrolling, CCTVs can be installed at vulnerable areas in streams to prevent illegal killings of trout . As a deterrent, there must be strict punishment in the shape of hefty fines for those who resort to illegal means to kill trout.

It is the responsibility of the government, stakeholders especially the scientific community to take measures to ensure protection of habitat of not only trout but all creations. Let us help in providing suitable habitat to God’s creations and help to maintain food chain. This will help to maintain ecological balance.

Author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir