Kulgam: Miscreants engage in electrofishing in Veshow River

Kulgam, Sept 23: The illegal practice of electrofishing in the Veshow River in has gone largely unnoticed, as miscreants use electric currents to poach fish. This method poses a significant threat to the freshwater fish population in the river.
A video circulating on social media on Monday claimed that some individuals are using a battery and an inverter in the early morning hours to electrofish, harming various aquatic species in the Veshow River.
Adv Rouf Geelani, a local said that from Aharbal to nearly Nehama, wherever there is a nearby habitation, some people engage in electrofishing in the trout-rich Veshow River, particularly in the early morning and on holidays.
He said that no action has been taken by the department so far, and the actions of some miscreants are damaging the aquatic species in the river. He urged the department to take action to protect the river.
Shabir Ahmad, Assistant Director (AD) of Fisheries for Anantnag, who also holds additional charge for Kulgam, told Rising Kashmir that the issue has come to the attention of the Fisheries Department.
A team has been formed to monitor the situation and keep a close watch on the poachers.
He further said that the team, along with an inspector, visited the location shown in the video. The team will maintain round-the-clock surveillance to apprehend poachers, and strict legal action will be taken against them.
“Currently, trout fish have migrated upstream, while the ‘Kashur Gaadd’ species are present downstream. Poachers are illegally killing them. As the water level in the river is low, and stagnant water accumulates in certain areas. Fish get trapped in these pools, where poachers use electric currents to kill and catch them,” he added.
He added that strict action will be taken against the poachers under the Fisheries Act, and he urged the public to render cooperation to eradicate this menace.