In Pictures: Traditional Shadow Fishing Returns to Kashmir’s Anchar Lake As Mercury Rises

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Debi Dhar

February 11, 2021 3:43 am No Comments

The traditional form of fishing in Kashmir, known as ‘Tchaayi Gaad’ in the local lexicon, is specifically associated with Anchar Lake in Soura area of Srinagar. Photo: Aman Farooq/GK

   
The practice dates back to the Dogra regime in Jammu and Kashmir during the early 20th century. Photo: Aman Farooq/GK

As per Kashmiri poet and historian, Zareef Ahmad Zareef, the banks of the lake of the yore used to be dotted with thickets of willow trees under whose shadow the fish would take refuge during summers, thereby easing the task for the local fishermen to catch them. Aman Farooq/GK

The historical practice also lends the name to the contemporary ‘Tchaayi Gaad’ or shadow fishing. Aman Farooq/GK

In shadow fishing, a fisherman equipped with a harpoon, hides under a cloth or a makeshift umbrella usually of straw and strikes the approaching fish with the harpoon. Aman Farooq/GK

The cloth or umbrella makes up for the shade of the willow trees of the yore. Aman Farooq/GK

The fisherman wears a smile on his face as he catches a fish in his harpoon. Photo: Aman Farooq/GK

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