Aqzar Raheel
Ganderbal, Jan 7: The illegal fishing in the Nallah Sindh at Wussan and Chinner areas of Ganderbal district is raising alarms over the rapid decline of fish populations, with little action from authorities to curb the practice.
On Tuesday, locals reported seeing illegal fishing in broad daylight near Chinner along the Srinagar-Leh highway, despite repeated requests for intervention. The Fisheries Department has faced criticism for its failure to address the issue, with accusations of negligence and inaction from field staff who have seemingly turned a blind eye to the activity.
Residents are concerned that the continued illegal fishing is putting the region’s ecosystem at severe risk. “The department responsible for protecting our natural resources is instead turning a blind eye to this illegal activity,” said a concerned Ganderbal resident. The fear is that the unchecked fishing could cause irreversible damage to the region’s aquatic life, which is vital to both the local economy and the environment.
Environmental experts have warned that fish populations in Kashmir have already seen a significant decline, primarily due to illegal fishing. Without immediate intervention, they caution, the damage to the region’s aquatic biodiversity could become permanent.
In response, Assistant Director Fisheries Ganderbal, Muhammad Aslam, assured that action would be taken against the offenders. “Our team has reached the spot, and we are working to identify those involved. Necessary legal action will follow,” he said.
