Srinagar, Aug 10: Scientists at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) have successfully standardised an induced-breeding and larval-rearing protocol for the vulnerable Himalayan snow trout, locally known as ‘Khont’, in a development expected to strengthen conservation efforts for the indigenous cold-water fish.
The breakthrough is expected to pave the way for captive seed production, river restocking and restoration of declining wild populations, while reducing dependence on naturally occurring stocks, the university said.
The research was carried out by scientists from the Divisions of Fisheries Resource Management and Fish Genetics and Biotechnology at the Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-K.
The team, led by Prof Farooz Ahmad Bhat, Dean, Faculty of Fisheries, successfully induced spawning in mature snow trout broodstock under controlled conditions using an optimised hormonal protocol.
Scientists recorded high rates of fertilisation, hatching and larval survival, demonstrating the feasibility of producing quality snow trout seed under captive conditions.
The achievement assumes significance amid concerns over the decline of natural snow trout populations in Kashmir. Habitat degradation, water pollution, riverbed mining, construction activities, overexploitation, climate change and disruption of natural breeding grounds have placed increasing pressure on the species.
Fish mortality has also been reported from several locations in Kashmir, including Panzath Nag in Qazigund, Sherbagh, Ganderbal and Verinag in Anantnag. Scientists, however, have stressed that the causes of individual mortality events require detailed scientific investigation.
According to the research team, captive breeding of Himalayan snow trout has remained challenging because of its specialised habitat requirements and the limited availability of mature broodstock in the Jhelum during the natural spawning season.
The newly standardised protocol provides a more dependable approach to seed production and could support conservation breeding, stock enhancement and sustainable aquaculture, the university said.
The technology was developed under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and is expected to support future river-restocking initiatives aimed at strengthening wild populations of the native fish.
The intervention could also help reduce pressure on wild stocks while contributing to the conservation of Kashmir’s native aquatic biodiversity.
Congratulating the scientists, SKUAST-K Vice-Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai said the achievement went beyond a scientific milestone and represented an important contribution towards safeguarding the region’s native aquatic biodiversity.
He expressed confidence that continued collaboration between research institutions, the Department of Fisheries and local communities would help translate captive seed production into effective conservation and restoration programmes for Himalayan freshwater ecosystems.
The development comes at a time when conservation of indigenous cold-water fish is gaining importance amid growing ecological pressures on Kashmir’s rivers, streams and natural aquatic habitats.
