SRINAGAR: The 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 lac 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 measures for Trout in the natural water bodies and for attraction of Tourists for angling purposes, 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 tons of Trout has been sold to the public thus accruing revenue of Rs. 7.0 lac 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 District Officer informed that the land and water efficient technology for fish farming has also been introduced in the District and one Biofloc unit has been established in the private sector.
The concerned Officer apprised the Director that about 100 Fish culture units have been established in the District including 16 Trout and 02 Carp units during the current financial year.
He informed that more youth are coming forward to adopt fish farming as an economic enterprise. A total of 825 fishermen are registered with the department in District Budgam who earn their livelihood from fishing activity
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 ensure nutritional security.
He added that the fish culture activity being less labor 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 increasing the Quality of fish seed production for increasing fish production and productivity.
The Director Fisheries instructed the officers to identify potential areas in the district to prioritize setting up more fisheries units in the private sector for better growth of the sector and the welfare of those engaged in the trade.
The emphasis was laid by the Director on generating awareness among the general masses, particularly the unemployed youth to start fisheries-related businesses.
The Director was accompanied by the Joint Director Fisheries (South), Kashmir, Assistant Director Fisheries, Budgam, and other senior officers of the department during the tour.
