Neglected Fish Seed Farm, Declining River Fish Population Raise Concerns Over Fisheries Department in Rajouri

Umer Malik

Rajouri:  Questions are being raised over the functioning of the Fisheries Department in Rajouri after a media team, accompanied by several local residents, visited the Fish Seed Farm at Muradpur to assess its condition.

During the visit, the team found the farm in a poor state. Despite the presence of a large fish seed farm with multiple ponds, no fish were visible in many of the ponds. The ponds themselves appeared poorly maintained, with dirty water and signs of neglect, leaving the visitors concerned over the condition of the government facility.

Former Sarpanch and social activist Aftab Majeed, who also visited the farm, alleged that the Fisheries Department has failed to properly maintain the Fish Seed Farm at Muradpur. Speaking to the media, he claimed that the farm has deteriorated due to official negligence and urged the authorities to take immediate steps for its restoration and proper functioning.

Aftab Majeed further alleged that the Fisheries Department has failed to conduct awareness programmes or field-level outreach to educate people about fish farming schemes and government support available for the sector.

 According to him, many residents remain unaware of fisheries-related initiatives due to the lack of public awareness campaigns.

He also expressed concern over the declining fish population in the rivers of Rajouri, alleging that unchecked illegal mining in riverbeds has severely damaged the aquatic ecosystem. He claimed that the continued extraction of river material has contributed to the disappearance of fish from several rivers in the district.

Local residents accompanying the media team also voiced disappointment over the condition of the farm, saying such an important government facility should play a key role in promoting fish farming and supporting local livelihoods.

Aftab Majeed appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Govt & District administration Rajouri to conduct an independent inspection of the Muradpur Fish Seed Farm, review the functioning of the Fisheries Department in Rajouri, take corrective measures to restore the farm, strengthen awareness programmes, and ensure effective conservation of the district's river ecosystem.