SRINAGAR: A large number of fish have been found dead under unexplained circumstances at the Kulam Chinar Spring in the Dooru area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, days after a similar incident was reported at Panzath Nag in Qazigund, prompting concern among local residents.
According to residents, the spring, known for its clear water, is the main source of drinking water for nearly 3,000 households in the villages of Shankerpora, Chakpath and Kulam Chinar.
Locals said the reason behind the sudden fish deaths remains unknown. With no alternative source of drinking water available, residents continue to use water from the spring, raising concerns about possible public health risks.
They have urged the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department and the Verinag Development Authority (VDA) to collect water samples without delay and conduct a detailed scientific investigation to establish the cause of the fish deaths.
The incident comes amid a series of fish mortality events reported across Kashmir’s freshwater springs, streams and lakes. Major incidents at the Brengi stream, Panzath Nag spring, Sherbagh spring and Wular Lake have resulted in the death of thousands of fish.
According to investigations by the Jammu and Kashmir Fisheries Department, the fish deaths have primarily been linked to severe oxygen depletion, contamination from untreated domestic sewage, detergent runoff and the increasing accumulation of solid waste in and around water bodies.
