Srinagar, Nov 21: Fisheries Department on Friday said the illegal fishing in Wular Lake is now limited to a few cases and remains tightly controlled through regular enforcement.
“The department is committed to protecting the livelihoods of local fishermen and cracking down on illegal fishing across the region,” Assistant Director of Fisheries, Baramulla, Showkat Ahmed, said on World Fisheries Day.
Showkat said that in the Sopore stretch of Wular Lake and the Jehlum river running through Sopore, no cases of illegal electric fishing have been reported this year. The credit goes to vigilant field officials and proactive enforcement, he said.
The officer, however, acknowledged that in the Bandipora sector of Wular Lake, a few cases of unauthorised electric fishing were detected. Field teams responded swiftly, confiscating the material linked to these illegal activities, he said.
The Assistant Director said that patrols of sensitive zones remain frequent to ensure compliance and deter future violations. He said enforcement teams remain on high alert and the department is strengthening patrols in hotspot zones, especially around Wular Lake.
Anjuman called for regular awareness programmes with fishing communities to educate them about sustainable fishing, legal tools and how illicit methods jeopardise both fish populations and long-term livelihoods.
The Wular Lake, as per the government data, contributes around 60 per cent of the total fish consumed in the Kashmir Valley, while it supports thousands of fishermen.
According to officials, over 5,200 registered fishermen depend on it. (KNO)
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