Affidavit before NGT details ecological damage, calls for regulation, restoration and stronger enforcement
WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Fisheries Department has admitted that the Vishaw stream, a vital tributary of the Jhelum supplying over six million gallons of drinking water daily to Kulgam district, is facing a grave threat due to unregulated and unscientific mining.
In an affidavit filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in OA No. 1391 of 2024, the department acknowledged that rising pollution and excessive mining are endangering the stream’s aquatic biodiversity, particularly trout and Schizothorax species.
The department pointed out that mining activities, both legal and illegal, especially during trout breeding season (October to December) and Schizothorax spawning season (April to June), have compromised water quality. The use of heavy machinery, it said, has disrupted the natural flow of the stream, destroyed habitats, and directly affected fish production and species diversification.
The Fisheries Department informed the Tribunal that it has been conducting regular inspections of the Vishaw to assess the extent of pollution and mining. In coordination with the Pollution Control Department, steps have been taken to limit drainage and agricultural waste entering the water body. Awareness drives and community engagement programmes have also been initiated to highlight the importance of protecting the stream and reporting illegal mining activities.
While stressing that it is taking all necessary measures to prevent destruction of the ecosystem, the department underlined that deterioration reported so far is largely due to poor regulation by the Geology and Mining Department. It said urgent interventions are required to address the ecological decline.
In its affidavit, the department laid out a comprehensive set of proposals for stream protection. These include re-evaluation of mining operations to stop unscientific practices; strict enforcement of environmental laws by the Geology and Mining Department; regulated mining in designated dry patches only; and complete closure of mining in drained patches where aquafauna exists. It also suggested making local bodies responsible for ensuring that municipal waste does not enter the stream, alongside initiating habitat restoration projects in affected areas.
Further, the department recommended the establishment of dedicated monitoring committees, regular monitoring of water quality and fish populations, and collaborative action between the Departments of Geology and Mining, Fisheries, Flood Control and Irrigation, as well as local communities.
Reiterating its commitment, the Fisheries Department assured the Tribunal that it would continue to address environmental concerns, mitigate pollution, and safeguard the aquatic biodiversity of the Vishaw. It also called for strict preventive measures at the district administration level to control pollution, protect the water body and restore the stream’s ecological glory.
