Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Mar 14: Asserting that climate change is affecting Kashmir’s ecosystem, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday called for adopting scientific techniques to protect nature and natural activities.
Addressing the National Conference on Cold Water Fisheries at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), CM Omar said, “Unusual weather patterns are already being witnessed in the region. Who would have imagined Srinagar witnessing such warm weather in February? Even flowers have started blooming earlier than usual and the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is ready much earlier this year.”
He said scientific research, modern infrastructure, value addition and better market linkages are essential to increase production while ensuring sustainability and livelihood security for fish farmers in the region. “Science, research and innovation must guide the future growth of the sector while ensuring livelihood security for fish farmers,” he added.
CM Omar said, “The government must support fishermen and aquaculture entrepreneurs by improving infrastructure, especially in remote areas, and strengthening post-production facilities, value addition and market linkages.”
“Our responsibility is to strengthen those who have taken up fisheries as their livelihood. We must help them increase production and ensure better facilities so their incomes are protected,” he said.
The Chief Minister said hosting the national conference in Srinagar would help Jammu and Kashmir learn best practices from other hill states such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand as well as states in the Northeast.
He noted that the conference had already provided new insights, including examples of innovative aquaculture practices in other parts of the country.
Referring to a youth entrepreneur from Hyderabad producing around 200 metric tonnes of trout using advanced techniques despite the tropical climate, Omar said technology can overcome geographical limitations and regions like Jammu and Kashmir must adopt modern practices to stay ahead.
Highlighting Kashmir’s long history in trout farming, the Chief Minister said the region has more than 126 years of experience since trout was introduced around 1900.
“Our experience should not go to waste. We must share our knowledge while also learning from others,” he said.
Notably, the conference, organised by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, brought together policymakers, researchers and stakeholders from several states including Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala.
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and other senior officials also attended the conference. On the occasion, the Union Minister announced that an Integrated Aquaculture Park will be developed at Kokernag to further strengthen the fisheries sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
