Srinagar: Director Fisheries, J&K, Mohammad Farooq Dar conducted an extensive tour of District Budgam and inspected Trout Hatchery, Khag, Trout rearing Unit, Beerwah and Carp Fish Farm, Narbal.
The Director reviewed the implementation of the various fisheries developmental schemes being implemented in District Budgam and reviewed the Trout seed production and functioning of the Departmental Fish Farms and Seed Production Centres in the district.
The Joint Director Fisheries (South), Kashmir apprised the Director that about 6.0 lakh of Rainbow Trout Seed has been produced at Trout Hatchery, Khag.
Besides meeting the requirement of the northern districts of Kashmir viz. Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara for stocking the feasible Trout streams as a part of conservation measure for Trout in the natural water bodies and for attraction of Tourists for angling purpose, the quality Trout seed from the hatchery is also distributed to the Private Trout growers for rearing in their Trout farms. It was given out that about 1.5 ton of Trout has been sold to the public thus accruing revenue of Rs. 7.0 lakh from the Trout Hatchery. He visited all the components of the hatchery and also inspected the repair work of the feeding channel and installation of screens/Dam boards being taken up by PWD (R&B) at the Trout Hatchery.
While inspecting the Trout Rearing unit, Beerwah, the Director Fisheries was briefed that 5 qtls of Trout has been sold from the farm. It was informed that a Carp Fish Farm, Narbal acts as a Carp seed rearing centre for raising the seed to the fingerling size and subsequent distribution of stunted fingerlings to farmers for rearing in their carp units.
The Director Fisheries emphasized that the involvement of the youth with fisheries/ aquaculture related activities will give them ample opportunity to sustain their livelihood and ensuring nutritional security.
He added that the fish culture activity being less labour intensive with good returns will help to improve the socio economic condition and income of the farmers. The Director instructed the concerned Officer to maintain cleanliness in the farms and to implement best management practices in Trout Seed production to exploit its full potential. He impressed upon the staff to adopt professional ethics and conduct in discharging their official duties for the benefit of the farming community and emphasized to increase the Quality fish seed production for increasing the fish production and productivity.
The Director Fisheries instructed the officers to identify potential areas in the district to prioritise setting up of more fisheries units in the private sector for better growth of the sector and welfare of those engaged in the trade.

KR Desk