Aquaculture Potential of Jammu and Kashmir: Prospects, Environmental Catastrophes, and the Decline in Fish Productivity

Abstract

Jammu and Kashmir is one of the environmentally unique regions in India for cold water fish aquaculture with its glacier fed rivers, high altitude springs and Ramsar identified wetlands. The fish output of the Union Territory increased from about 25,000 metric tonnes in 2022 to nearly 29.4 thousand metric tonnes by 2024-25 mainly due to the growth of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) industry supported by setting up new hatcheries, feed manufacturing facilities, funding options and scientific support. However, the increasing trend in production coincides with an ongoing and largely unaddressed crisis of recurrent flood disasters, continued siltation and nutrient enrichment of wetlands and a rapid decline in cold-water native fish habitat, especially for the snow trout (Schizothorax spp.). In this study, we compile evidence on aquaculture resources and production pattern in the region, while analysing three interlinked environmental factors contributing to the decline in fish productivity: the catastrophic flood in Kashmir in 2014, the ecological decline of Wular and other wetlands, and the warming of Himalayan streams associated with the retreat of glaciers. The report finds that realising the full capacity of aquaculture in the area requires not just investment to increase output but also sustained measures for catchment restoration, wetland rehabilitation and fisheries governance responsive to climatic changes.