I read with concern the news item about decline in the production of trout fish in Kashmir. (GK 30 July 2010) It reminded me of Kashmir of yesteryears as an Angler's Paradise. Kashmir's trout fisheries history goes back to 1898 when Mr. Mitchel a Scotsman introduced trout for the first time in Kashmir with the help of Pandit Sodhama Miskeen and Khwaja Gafarjoo. The fish seed was obtained from England. Half of it perished in transit because there were no airplanes those days and sea route was the only option. From Bombay the seed had to be carried first by rail upto Rawalpindi and then by bus to Srinagar in containers of water. The water had to be changed frequently. The first attempt failed but subsequent attempt in 1900 to breed trout succeeded.The Maharaja of Kashmir was then approached and a Department of Fisheries with Mr.Mitchel as Director and Pt. Sodhama as Inspector came into being. Seed farms at Harwan and Achhabal were established and trout beats established in our streams like, Lidder, Sindh, Ferozpur nullah, Madhumati and Krishenganga nullahs etc. Later trout were also introduced in Chenab and other streams of Jammu province. Many lakes and springs like Gangabal, Kounsarnag, Verinag were also used to stock trout fish. Trout fishing of Kashmir had become a great tourist attraction by twenties and thirtys of the last century.The Maharaja of Kashmir was requested by many princely states to supply seed and expertise to them for the introduction of trout in their fast running streams-a precondition for trout to thrive.Thus Pt. Sodhama travelled to Nilgiris in the South and Himachal (then part of Punjab) and Uttara Khand (then part of Uttar Pradesh) and Muree (Now in Pakistan) to introduce trout fish there. It is rather sad that the trout population has declined in the state.The decision to invite expertise from such countries as UK, Scandavavian countries, Russia, USA etc. should be welcome in order to find out the reasons of the decline and suggest measures to help us to keep our streams well stocked to attract anglers and help tourist industry. It is also possible for us to do trout farming in Kashmir and hill districts of Jammu Division just like Carp farming in the planes of Jammu. It will open up vast opportunities for our young unemployed youth to find gainful employment.

Prof. B.L.Kaul
U.K.
blkaul@gmail.com

Lastupdate on : Sun, 1 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 1 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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