Bandipora, Sept 07: A man from Poonch District of Jammu transformed the village in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district through Fish Farming.
Situated in the remote landscapes of the district, Nagwani Dardpora village was often characterized by its reliance on labour work as a means of survival. The village, previously unaware of its potential for self-employment, was caught in a cycle of limited economic opportunities.
It was during a chance visit that Zaffar Choudhary from Poonch district recognized the abundant natural resources in the village and resolved to improve the lives of its residents.
In a conversation with Rising Kashmir, Zaffar Choudhary said that he noticed great potential for fish farming in the village due to its abundant water resources, including many waterfalls and a readily available water supply.
Zaffar said that overcoming initial resistance, primarily due to the low literacy rates prevalent in the area, he decided to educate and inspire the villagers about the possibilities of fish farming.
“I acquired a plot of land and established my very own fish farm by transforming an initially barren site into a successful venture to prove that we could achieve economic success”, he said.
Zaffar said that the impact was undeniable as they witnessed his success and realized the possibilities awaiting them, the villagers gradually shed their scepticism and embraced the notion of fish farming.
“Impelled by the desire for self-sustainability and the opportunity to generate employment, they rallied together and started seeking guidance from me to establish their own fish farms”, he added.
Mohd Abdullah Paswal, a local social activist, told Rising Kashmir that through trailblazing efforts, Zaffar Choudhary sparked an extraordinary transformation in Nagwani Dardpora.
He said that his innovative fish farming initiative has paved the way for economic empowerment which lead the way towards self-sufficiency for a village previously tied to the cycle of labor work.
The success of Nagwani Dardpora’s fish farm has prompted others to pursue similar ventures which resulted in a significant shift in the economic landscape of the area.
