The Government of India has approved a 100 crore rupees Integrated Aqua Park project in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen cold water fisheries infrastructure, enhance fish production and generate employment opportunities in the region.
The announcement was made by Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj, during the National Conference on Cold Water Fisheries held at the Sher e Kashmir International Conference Centre in Srinagar.
The conference also witnessed the release of the Model Guidelines for the Development of Cold Water Fisheries aimed at providing a comprehensive framework for scientific and sustainable management of fisheries resources in high altitude regions.
The event was attended by Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, S P Singh Baghel, Minister of State for Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj, and Javid Ahmad Dar, Minister of Agriculture Production Department of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Integrated Aqua Park to be established in Anantnag is expected to strengthen aquaculture infrastructure in the region and promote end to end value chain development in cold water fisheries.
Addressing the gathering, Rajiv Ranjan Singh emphasised the need to expand trout production, improve value addition and strengthen market access for cold water fish farmers. He said targeted investments and infrastructure support would help farmers scale production and tap export markets where trout and similar species command strong demand.
The minister also urged the organisation of fish farmers through cooperatives and fish farmer producer organisations to improve access to schemes, credit and infrastructure.
The Model Guidelines for Reservoir Fisheries and Aquaculture Management released during the conference provide a structured framework covering scientific seed stocking, cage and pen based aquaculture, leasing systems, biodiversity conservation, governance mechanisms and monitoring systems.
During the event, awards were presented to fisheries cooperatives, progressive fish farmers, Kisan Credit Card beneficiaries and fisheries start ups across Jammu and Kashmir.
Best Fisheries Cooperative Societies
• Jehlum Fisherman Cooperative Limited Mahrajpora Sopore Baramulla
• Affarwat Trout Fish Farmers Cooperative Limited Tangmarg Baramulla
• Bandi Trout Fish Cooperative Limited Kupwara
Progressive Cold Water Fish Farmers
• Shakeel Mohd Teeli Anantnag
• Mehjoor Sultan Mir Kupwara
• Umer Akbar Dar Pulwama
• Zaid Ul Ahad Srinagar
• Sara Bano Srinagar
Kisan Credit Card Beneficiaries
• Nusrat Jan Trout Raceway Srinagar
• Abdul Rashid Ganie Son of Late Gul Ganie Trout Raceway Srinagar
• Abdul Rashid Ganie Son of Habib Ullah Ganie Trout Raceway Srinagar
• Bilal Ahmad Malik Son of Ali Mohammad Malik Net Boat Srinagar
• Asif Ahmad Malik Son of Hafizullah Malik Net Boat Srinagar
Fisheries Start Ups
• Sheeshang Trouts represented by Manzoor Ahmad Bhat Live Fish Vending Centre Anantnag
• Springvalley Feed Mill represented by Gowhar Rasool Reshi Feed Mill Srinagar
• Fisheries Paradise represented by Neha Atri Carp Unit Samba
• Rakesh Biofloc represented by Rakesh Kumar Biofloc Unit Jammu
• Kashmir Trout Cold Storage Unit Srinagar
• Raina Trout Farm represented by Reyaz Ahmad Raina Trout Unit Ganderbal
Sara Bano from Srinagar also received approval for establishing a new recirculating aquaculture system unit under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund scheme.
To strengthen post harvest management and market access, refrigerated vehicles were distributed to Arsalan Ali Pulwama, Muzafar Ahmad Dar Baramulla, Mohd Iqbal Malik Kulgam, Shakir Ahmad Mir Shopian and Umar Akbar Dar Pulwama.
Three wheeler vehicles were also distributed to Farooq Ahmad Akhoon, Gh Nabi Kaloo Budgam, Umar Farooq Dar Baramulla, Irshad Ahmad Khuroo Anantnag and Muddasir Ahmad Khanday Kupwara to support last mile transport and local marketing.
In his address, Manoj Sinha said the sanction of the Integrated Aqua Park would serve as a catalyst for economic growth and fisheries development in the region. He highlighted that the Himalayan region represents the natural hub of India’s cold water fisheries and noted the progress achieved through investments in hatcheries, broodstock development, feed mills and modern aquaculture systems.
Omar Abdullah emphasised the need to sustainably harness Jammu and Kashmir’s cold water resources through scientific aquaculture practices and technological innovation. He noted that improved collaboration with research institutions and adoption of best practices could expand cold water aquaculture across diverse parts of the union territory.
S P Singh Baghel said the fisheries sector plays a crucial role in employment generation and community development, particularly in remote and high altitude regions.
Javid Ahmad Dar highlighted that Jammu and Kashmir contributes nearly ninety percent of India’s trout production with districts such as Ganderbal and Anantnag emerging as major production centres.
Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary in the Department of Fisheries, said India’s cold water fisheries sector includes more than 278 species and offers strong potential for aquaculture, eco tourism and niche market development.
He added that nationally 34 clusters including those in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand have been notified to promote integrated and region specific development.
Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary in the Department of Fisheries, said investments of around 230 crore rupees in the segment have improved productivity and value chain efficiency. He emphasised the need to expand advanced aquaculture systems such as recirculating aquaculture systems, raceways and cage culture supported by modern technologies including drones and IoT based monitoring.
The conference witnessed participation of more than 10,000 attendees in hybrid mode including policymakers, scientists, fisheries cooperatives, fish farmers, entrepreneurs and representatives from multiple ministries and research institutions.
Officials said the conference marked an important step towards strengthening India’s cold water fisheries ecosystem and enhancing livelihood opportunities in mountainous and remote regions.
