SRINAGAR: in a shocking disclosure, the government on Saturday said Kashmir’s fish production has crossed 20-lakh ton mark. If true, this could push any coastal state in sub continent to second position.
An official spokesman said the increased production was “due to stocking of quality seed and assiduous efforts of the Fisheries Department.” The revelations were made in meeting that Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, presided over.
“The meeting was informed that 20.08 lakh ton of fish is being produced annually against an approximate demand of about 25 lakh tonnes in the Valley, while as 4 lakh tonnes of fish is being imported annually,” the statement said.
For the Development of the sector, it was said that under Prime Minister’s Employment Package, Rashtriya Kissan Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and other centrally sponsored schemes 706 private ponds have been established, so far, out of which 293 are for rearing trout fishes and 413 for Carp fish sector.
The Divisional Commissioner was also briefed about the progress made under various schemes and projects like PM’s Package for creation of Employment opportunities, Fisheries Training and Extension, National Welfare Scheme for Fishermen; Construction of Low cost Houses, Group Insurance Scheme for active Fishermen, Providing of Tool Kits and Nylon Twine and RKVY.
He was further told that for the welfare of the fishermen, 1533 low cost houses with a unit cost Rs 75000 have been constructed for fishermen in the Kashmir division. While as Boats, Bicycles and Auto Rickshaws were provided to registered fishermen for efficient marketing delivery system to enhance their economic profile.
On the occasion, the Divisional Commissioner said that the State possesses enormous potential of angling due to its location and abundance of such streams. He stressed that if tapped properly, this can attract high-end tourists to the State. But he cautioned that adequate measures should be put in place to keep a check on illegal poaching at angling sites.
In order to boost angling sports, he directed the Department to submit a DPR for renovation of rest houses at all fisheries farms in the valley so that these can be developed on modern lines for national as well as international angling sport lovers. He further directed the officials of Fisheries Department to stop crushing of stones near the streams mapped by the Department immediately and asked them to deal with violators strictly according to the law.
Interestingly, the website of the Fisheries department puts the annual fish production in the state at 20080 tons. It includes 298 tonnes of Trout production, according to the information on its website.
“The Trout production of the state from department and private units during 2015-16 has reached to 300 tonnes as compared to 262 tonnes in 2014-15,” Economic Survey that was tabled in the legislature early this year reads. “The import of fish was 49 tonnes during the year 2015-16 which is 9.92 tonnes more than previous year.”
