TOUSEEF WANI
KANGAN-GANDERBAL, Jan 22: Serious environmental concerns have resurfaced in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district following fresh allegations of rampant chemical poisoning of trout fish in Nallah Sindh, particularly in the Kangan area. Locals have accused miscreants of repeatedly using bleaching powder to illegally kill and harvest trout fish, a practice that they claim has continued unchecked despite existing laws and monitoring mechanisms.
According to residents living along the banks of Nallah Sindh, especially in the Prang–Wussan stretch, bleaching powder is being deliberately dumped into the stream to stun and kill large trout fish. The chemical rapidly depletes oxygen levels in the water, causing instant death of bigger fish that are then illegally collected by those involved. However, smaller fish, fingerlings, and other aquatic organisms are left to die slowly, resulting in large-scale destruction of aquatic life and long-term damage to the river’s delicate ecosystem.
Locals pointed out that the practice becomes particularly devastating during the winter months when the water level and flow in the stream are significantly reduced. “At this time of the year, even a small quantity of bleaching powder can wipe out the entire fish population in a confined stretch of the nallah,” said a resident, adding that the chemical spreads rapidly in low-flow conditions, leaving little chance for aquatic life to survive.
Residents have further alleged that the bleaching powder used for this illegal activity is being sourced from government departments where it is legitimately meant for chlorination, sanitation, and public health purposes. They expressed strong resentment over what they described as the complete absence of effective ground-level monitoring by the Fisheries Department. According to locals, fisheries guards posted in the area are rarely seen conducting patrols or inspections, allowing such environmentally destructive practices to continue unabated.
“The department entrusted with the protection of aquatic resources appears to be either in deep slumber or deliberately turning a blind eye to these crimes,” locals alleged. They warned that if immediate and decisive action is not taken, the prized trout population of Nallah Sindh—known for its ecological and economic importance—could face complete annihilation.
Civil society members, environmental activists, and social workers have also joined residents in raising alarm over the issue. They have appealed to the District Administration Ganderbal, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ganderbal, and the Director of Fisheries to intervene urgently. The protesters demanded strict legal action against those involved in chemical fishing and called for exemplary punishment to serve as a deterrent for others who may be tempted to indulge in such practices.
Responding to the growing concerns, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Jatin Kishore, acknowledged that the matter had been brought to his attention. Speaking to Kashmir Despatch, he said, “The issue has come to my notice this morning, and we are ascertaining the facts. If anyone is found involved in this illegal activity, they will be dealt with strictly under the law.”
Meanwhile, residents have urged the administration to move beyond assurances and ensure sustained monitoring, regular patrolling, and strict regulation of bleaching powder usage, warning that delay could result in irreversible ecological damage to one of the region’s most vital water bodies.
