Brown trout returns to Kashmir after over a century

Srinagar, Dec 18: The fish that made Kashmir an angler’s paradise has returned home after a century.

Brown trout has returned to the Valley’s cold-water streams after 125 years, signalling the first major effort since 1900 to restore the species and strengthen the region’s fragile river ecosystems.

About 3 lakh eyed brown trout ova imported from Denmark have been successfully reared and released into more than 40 streams and 12 lakes across Kashmir, officials of the Fisheries Department said.

The project aims to restore aquatic biodiversity and revive angling tourism in the region.

“This is the first time since the British era that we are reintroducing brown trout into natural streams,” Director of Fisheries, Kashmir, Abdul Majid Tak said. “The objective is ecological restoration along with long-term economic benefits for local communities.”

He said rainbow trout is typically cultured in raceways, ponds, or cages under controlled conditions.

“Brown trout, on the other hand, grows largely outside culture and thrives on natural feed. That is what makes it the angler’s paradise,” Tak said.

Native to Europe and Scandinavian nations, the brown trout was introduced to Jammu and Kashmir by the British around 1900.

Known for its strength, speed, and fighting ability, the species quickly became a prized catch among anglers.

However, brown trout gradually declined and disappeared from most waters after failing to adapt to artificial feed and intensive hatchery systems.

“Brown trout does not accept artificial feed or pellet-based nutrition like rainbow trout,” Assistant Director, Fisheries, Anantnag-Kulgam, Shabir Ahmad said. “That was the main reason for its decline.”

He said though natural breeding continued in a few streams, prolonged inbreeding led to genetic depression, poor growth, and high mortality.

Ahmad said that the seed of the brown trout underwent selective natural breeding, and survival in natural streams has been 100 percent so far.

In contrast, rainbow trout introduced during the same period adapted easily to artificial feed and controlled farming systems. It became the backbone of Kashmir’s trout farming industry, supported by public and private hatcheries and government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

Brown trout are known for their natural life cycle and ability to mature independently of human intervention, often migrating before spawning and surviving in diverse freshwater environments.

Under the revival project, the Danish ova were incubated at the Tschancer hatchery in Kulgam, where they underwent a nine-month rearing cycle from January to October.

The stock was later transferred to the Kokernag hatchery in Anantnag, one of Asia’s largest trout hatcheries.

The ova were developed through selective breeding into F1-generation fingerlings.

Following scientific assessments, about 2.50 lakh fingerlings, each weighing between 5 and 15 grams, were approved for release into suitable cold-water streams.

Stocking sites include Lidder, Brengi, and Kapran in Anantnag; Aharbal in Kulgam; Herpora in Shopian; Lam and Laristan in Tral; Dachigam stream in Srinagar; Doodganga in Budgam; Sindh stream in Ganderbal; Ferozepora in Baramulla and Mawar in Kupwara.

High-altitude alpine lakes were also selected due to their cold temperatures.

The streams were evaluated for ecological compatibility before approval.

Brown trout typically grow 15 to 22 inches long and weigh between 1 and 5 pounds, making them a prized species for sport fishing.

“The brown trout feed mainly on animal-based nutrition,” Project Officer with the Fisheries Department, Anantnag, Yasin Bhat said. “We prepare special feed using aquatic organisms such as Gammarus, along with cod liver oil.”

Bhat said the feed preparation process is labour-intensive but necessary.

“Despite the challenges, the seed has already grown to about 10 to 15 gm,” he said.

Officials said brown trout have also been stocked in virgin streams such as Panzath in Qazigund.

“Brown trout adapt easily to natural feed in the wild,” Ahmad said. “Protecting clean, cold and fast-flowing streams is key to their survival.”

Officials acknowledged threats from pollution, climate change and illegal fishing but said the project could play a crucial role in restoring aquatic biodiversity and strengthening river health.

The Fisheries Department is involving fishermen and local communities through government schemes and linking brown trout conservation with eco-tourism initiatives to boost angling tourism.

“When people are involved, conservation becomes sustainable,” Ahmad said. “This will definitely increase anglers’ catch and support sustainable tourism development.”

Ahmad said the return of brown trout is expected to improve river ecosystems and create long-term economic opportunities for local communities across Kashmir.