SRINAGAR: The Jammu Kashmir Government has said it has no plans to relocate two long-standing poultry breeding farms operating in the Kathidarwaza–Badamwari area of Srinagar, despite public complaints over foul smell and environmental concerns.
In a written reply to a starred question by MLA Tanvir Sadiq, the Agriculture Production Department confirmed that two functional establishments — the Poultry Project and the Broiler Project — are located in the area and fall under the Zadibal constituency. These farms, the Government said, have been operational since the 1970s as part of efforts to strengthen backyard poultry production in Kashmir through improved breeds such as Gramapriya, Chabro, Kaveri, Kalinga Brown, and Kashmir Commercial Layer (KCL).
Rejecting the suggestion that these farms have caused pollution or illness among residents, the Department said no fertiliser is used in the facilities and that poultry waste is scientifically managed. “Dead birds, if any, are disposed of through deep burial in properly maintained mortality pits within the farm premises, strictly following biosecurity and environmental norms,” the reply stated. The litter generated is sold as farm manure, and regular disinfection and hygiene measures are observed to ensure public health, it added.
The Department further clarified that there have been no reports of illness or zoonotic diseases linked to these farms. “Scientific litter management practices are adopted, and biosecurity measures are ensured by farm staff,” the reply said.
As per official data, the Poultry Project at Hariparbat occupies 37 kanal and 15 marlas of land, with 41 sanctioned posts and an egg production of 1.98 lakh in 2024–25, and 95,804 eggs produced so far in the current financial year 2025–26. The Broiler Project, spread over 21 kanal, employs 33 personnel and produced 2.80 lakh eggs and 3.27 lakh day-old chicks in 2024–25, with 2.11 lakh chicks hatched so far this year.
The Government said both projects are vital to the Department’s breeding and supply network across the Valley, and hence no relocation is under consideration.
