Kashgil News Exclusive Report
Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir has been blessed by nature with numerous springs, streams and clean water reservoirs, which are not only important for drinking and daily needs, but also for breeding rare species of fish. However, due to environmental changes, dumping of garbage in rivers and deterioration in water temperature, these fish are becoming increasingly rare in Kashmir, of which the most affected species is trout.
Trout survival in danger due to environmental change and pollution
Increasing pollution in the region, increase in garbage in rivers and unusual changes in water temperature have become a serious threat to trout fish. This cold and clean water fish is also affected by slight deterioration in temperature, due to which its natural breeding system is being affected.
Pitahka Hatchery is a major centre for natural trout breeding
Pitahka, a beautiful area of ​​Muzaffarabad district, is considered ideal for trout breeding due to its natural springs and the Neelum River. The fish and hatchery farm established here not only breeds trout but also produces its rare and high-quality eggs.
The sensitive process of trout breeding and the importance of temperature
According to the farm manager, the trout breeding season is from November to the end of March, during which special care is taken of the fish that lay eggs.
The trout fish incubates the eggs for three to five months. After about 20 days, black spots appear in the eggs that indicate the fish’s eyes, which is why they are called eyed eggs.
After this stage, the baby hatches and when it weighs about 10 grams, it is released into the raceway, where it weighs 200 to 250 grams in a few months. The entire breeding process depends on the water temperature, which should be between 10 and 15 degrees.
Growing demand, millions of eggs and need for expansion of the hatchery
The farm manager said that millions of trout eggs are produced every year in the Patihka hatchery and this number is constantly increasing due to the increasing demand in the private sector. According to him, fish seeds are also being provided to government and private farms in the region, however, in view of the increasing demand, the hatchery needs to be expanded further.
World Wildlife Day: Urgent steps needed to protect wild trout
He said that on the occasion of World Wildlife Day, the government and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries should accelerate steps to promote trout culture and protect the wild trout found in rivers and streams, so that not only this rare species can be saved but also economic opportunities can be created by attracting unemployed youth to this sector.
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