A day after a tragic incident led to the death of trout fish worth lakhs, the Department of Fisheries in South Kashmir’s Anantnag has taken swift action. They not only confiscated the walnut peeling machinery belonging to a negligent walnut businessman but also ordered an immediate halt to the operation of these machines along the banks of water bodies.
The machinery seizure was carried out under the supervision of Deputy Director Fisheries Anantnag, Muhammad Sidiq.
The incident occurred at Dalseer Wahdhan area near the Pahalgam health resort, where trout fish worth 20 lakhs suffocated due to the contamination of water from a stream by Walnut Green Husk extract. Many walnut business operators have set up machinery along the streams, allowing walnut husks to flow directly into water bodies, posing a significant threat to aquatic life.
In response to the tragedy, Deputy Director Fisheries Anantnag, Muhammad Sidiq, issued a circular directing all Circle in charges to conduct an extensive survey to locate walnut peeling machine operators in their jurisdictions and serve notices to them. He emphasized the immediate cessation of machine operations until further orders.
Deputy Director Sidiq highlighted the environmental concerns associated with these machines, explaining that the green husk extract contains harmful chemicals that can pollute water and harm aquatic life. While acknowledging the livelihoods of walnut traders, he stressed the need for responsible practices, urging operators to find suitable locations and adopt proper disposal mechanisms.
Furthermore, Deputy Director Fisheries Anantnag confirmed the confiscation of the machinery belonging to the individual responsible for the trout fish deaths, and he affirmed the suspension of machine operations. The department is determined to prevent any harm to the trout business in the district.
