Kashmir has beautiful aquatic ecosystems, which used to be a safe haven for many local fish species. These fish species are now facing a serious threat of decline. This scary situation is the result of a lot of different things working together, like bad policies, pollution, the spread of exotic species, and uncontrolled mining in rivers.Â
Kashmir’s main attention has always been its large and beautiful bodies of water, like the famous Dal Lake or the flowing Jhelum River. Yet, beneath the calm surface of these waters is a disturbing fact: the sharp fall of native fish species that used to live in harmony and do well in these water bodies. In this article, we will discuss why the endemic species of Kashmir Valley are facing a threat and what can be done!
A Threatened Heritage of Indigenous Fish Species in Kashmir
The situation has reached a critical point, and local fish species are now classified as “endangered and threatened.” This classification is a sad reminder of how long-term carelessness has hurt their attempts to protect the environment. The native Schizothorax species (Kashir gaad), Bortia birdi (Rami gurun), Carassius carassius (Gang-e-gaad), and other species are having a hard time adapting to the changing environment, which is very different from the invasive species like the common carp (Punjaeb gaad). These native fish are used to living in cold, clean water, but now they face a dangerous problem: the rapid spread of eutrophication (algal blooms), which is a bad side effect of increasing water pollution.Â
The native species have not adapted well to aquaculture practices in this region. It is hard to protect local species when environmental stressors keep coming at them all the time. These important aquatic species are in a dangerous situation because it is hard to find a balance between keeping the ecological balance and meeting the needs of modern development. As the thin thread that links these fish to the complex web of aquatic life in Kashmir weakens, the urgent call for coordinated action to change this trend becomes louder. The only way to save these native fish and give them their due place in Kashmir’s rich aquatic history is for conservation efforts and sustainable practices to work together.
Research and Policy Gaps
A big reason why the environment is getting worse is that there isn’t enough study or regulation to protect native species. A lot of research is yet to be done in this field to understand the fish species and their interaction better. While exotic species make good use of available resources, their native counterparts suffer in the shadows, their importance hidden. This makes it hard to understand their different needs and weaknesses. There is a lack of advanced technology and study, which leaves native fish species in a very dangerous situation.
This lack of care is clear from the fact that there is very little accurate information about the fish that live in Kashmir’s bodies. The lack of information makes protection efforts much less effective, which makes the current situation even worse. The government’s role in bringing in non-native species, like the common carp, has made things even more complicated. It pushes out the native fish species and throws off the delicate ecological balance.
The Threat of Invasive Species and Pollution
Invasive species, which are a worldwide problem, have taken root in the waterways of Kashmir, making it harder for local fish to survive. Notably, bringing in the carnivorous brown trout, which is not native to the area, has made conflicts between the native herbivorous species worse. This conflict is made worse by rising temperatures, which force native fish to move to higher levels in search of food. This increases competition and makes them more vulnerable.
The situation is getting worse, and water pollution is making it even worse. When herbicides, pesticides, and fertilisers are used without limits, they get into the water and cause a bad thing called “eutrophication.” Such a change is very bad for the Schizothorax species, which has evolved to live in clean water. They are now struggling to survive in these changed circumstances, which will only speed up their decline. Tragically, cutting down trees makes the problem worse because eroded soil gets into the water and destroys important places for native fish to breed.
Kashmir’s aquatic environment is in danger, and everyone needs to work together to fix the problem. We need a solid approach that includes strict control and management of invasive species, careful reduction of pollution through careful farming practices, and consistent reforestation efforts to protect aquatic habitats.Â
Unregulated Mining is a Growing Concern
In addition to all the other problems, there is a big threat from the unchecked rise of riverbed mining, which hurts Kashmir’s rivers. Heavy equipment that is hard to control, like JCBs and cranes, destroys the homes of many fish species. But it’s not just the fish that suffer; the effects ripple through the whole web of life, putting crops at risk and bringing up the scary possibility of flash floods.
The uncontrolled and unchecked nature of this mining activity raises concerns not only for the native and exotic fish species but also for the farming problems that were already there. It makes the threat of devastating flash floods even more real. Even though the National Green Tribunal has stepped in and rules have been made, the sad fact is that they aren’t being enforced well enough, which lets the mining keep going. So, the biological balance of the area is getting worse and worse, which is a cycle of imbalance that, if not fixed quickly, threatens to change Kashmir’s aquatic history for good. To restore the sanctity of Kashmir’s water bodies, there needs to be a firm resolve to follow the rules that are already in place. These rules must be put in place through monitoring systems and to get everyone involved to work together.
Urgent Interventions are Needed
The seriousness of the situation calls for quick and coordinated action. Governments, environmentalists, and local groups must work together to come up with comprehensive plans. These plans will help in restoring and protecting native fish species. Indigenous breeds such as Schizothorax and Bortia birdi should be studied in depth with the help of modern technology to learn about their specific needs and weaknesses.
To stop alien species from being a problem, it is important to set up strict rules. It is important to carefully introduce and handle exotic species, such as carp, as well as keep a close eye on them. This will help us to reduce any negative effects they might have. At the same time, aggressive steps must be taken to reduce pollution, such as limiting the use of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilisers. This will help restore an environment in which local fish can thrive.
When it comes to riverbed mining, regulatory bodies should put an emphasis on safe methods that cause the least amount of harm to the environment. With methods for using local labour and strict enforcement of rules that limit the use of heavy machines, habitats and spawning sites can be kept in good shape for a long time.
The fish that live in Kashmir are more than just fish. They are a sign of a fragile culture that is tied to the way people make a living there. The sharp drop shows how closely human health and the health of the world are linked. If nothing is done, it could hurt Kashmir’s business and ecosystem. It is important to stop being lazy and take a thorough approach to conservation, one that ensures the return of Kashmir’s native fish species and secures their place in the region’s history for future generations. This is the time to work together to bring life back to Kashmir’s waterbodies, which hold the key to natural and cultural growth in Kashmir.
Conclusion
Kashmir’s native fish species are in trouble, and this is a wake-up call that goes beyond protection and ecology. It shows how much people don’t care about nature’s fragile balance and how bad things can get when people don’t stop doing bad things. As the fight to save native fish goes on, it becomes clear that this isn’t just a fight to save fish; it’s a fight to save an ecosystem, a history, and the jobs of people who rely on it.
The decline of native fish species is a clear warning that when the environment gets worse, not only does it hurt aquatic life, but it also hurts the people whose lives depend on these water bodies. If nothing is done, the effects will be far-reaching and affect everything from Kashmir’s business to the stability of its environment. It’s time to stop being lazy and start taking a strong approach to protection. This will help make sure that Kashmir’s native fish continue to grow and thrive for generations to come.
ReferencesÂ
https://kashmirobserver.net/2022/01/15/why-kashmirs-native-fish-is-under-threat/
https://www.scribd.com/doc/54595262/List-of-Kashmir-Fishes
https://www.svenkullander.se/publications/Kullander_et_al_Kashmir_1999.pdf