SRINAGAR: Scientists at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) have achieved a breakthrough in the captive breeding of the vulnerable Himalayan snow trout, locally known as *Khont*, paving the way for producing fish seed for river restocking and conservation.
Scientists from the Divisions of Fisheries Resource Management and Fish Genetics and Biotechnology at SKUAST-K’s Faculty of Fisheries have successfully standardised an induced-breeding and larval-rearing protocol for Schizothorax plagiostomus, an indigenous cold-water fish whose wild populations have declined over the years.
The research team, led by Dean, Faculty of Fisheries, Prof (Dr) Farooz Ahmad Bhat, induced spawning of mature snow trout broodstock under controlled conditions using an optimised hormonal protocol. The scientists recorded high fertilisation, hatching and larval-survival rates, demonstrating the feasibility of producing quality seed in captivity.
The development is significant amid growing threats to the species from habitat degradation, water pollution, riverbed mining, construction activities, overexploitation and climate change. Disruption of natural breeding grounds has also added to the pressure on the fish.
Concerns over fish mortality incidents reported from several parts of Kashmir, including Panzath Nag in Qazigund, Sherbagh, Ganderbal and Verinag in Anantnag, have further highlighted the need to protect native freshwater species. Scientists, however, said the causes of individual mortality incidents require detailed scientific investigation.
Captive breeding of Himalayan snow trout has remained challenging due to its specialised habitat requirements and the limited availability of mature broodstock in the Jhelum during the natural spawning season.
According to the researchers, the newly standardised protocol offers a dependable method for seed production and could support conservation breeding, stock enhancement and sustainable aquaculture.
Developed under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), the technology is expected to facilitate future river-restocking programmes and reduce dependence on wild fish stocks.
SKUAST-K Vice-Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai congratulated the scientists and said the achievement was more than a scientific milestone, describing it as a contribution towards safeguarding Kashmir’s native aquatic biodiversity.
He expressed hope that continued collaboration between research institutions, the Department of Fisheries and local communities would help translate captive seed production into effective conservation and restoration programmes for Himalayan freshwater ecosystems.
The development reinforces SKUAST-K’s efforts to promote science-based approaches for conserving Jammu and Kashmir’s cold-water fisheries and aquatic biodiversity.
