SKUAST-K achieves breakthrough in captive breeding of vulnerable Himalayan snow trout
Blazing Tales News Service
SRINAGAR, AUGUST 9: Scientists at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) have achieved a major breakthrough in freshwater fish conservation by successfully standardizing an induced-breeding and larval-rearing protocol for the vulnerable Himalayan snow trout (Schizothorax plagiostomus), locally known as Khont.
The breakthrough, achieved by scientists from the Divisions of Fisheries Resource Management and Fish Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Fisheries, is expected to open new avenues for captive seed production, river-restocking and restoration of declining wild populations of the indigenous cold-water fish.
The research team, led by Prof. Farooz Ahmad Bhat, Dean, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-K, successfully induced spawning of mature snow trout broodstock under controlled conditions using an optimized hormonal protocol. The scientists recorded high fertilization, hatching and larval-survival rates, demonstrating the feasibility of producing quality seed under captive conditions.
The achievement assumes particular significance as natural populations of snow trout have declined considerably over the years amid habitat degradation, water pollution, riverbed mining, construction activities, overexploitation and the effects of climate change. The disruption of natural breeding grounds has further added to the pressures facing the species.
The development also comes amid concerns over fish mortality incidents reported from different parts of Kashmir, including Panzath Nag in Qazigund, Sherbagh, Ganderbal and Verinag in Anantnag. Scientists, however, stressed that the causes of individual mortality events require detailed scientific investigation and should not be attributed to any single factor without scientific evidence.
According to the research team, captive breeding of S. plagiostomus has remained challenging because of the species’ specialized habitat requirements and the limited availability of mature broodstock in the Jhelum during its natural spawning season.
The newly standardized protocol provides a dependable approach for producing snow trout seed under controlled conditions and could support conservation breeding, stock enhancement and sustainable aquaculture initiatives in the region.
Developed under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), the technology is expected to play an important role in future river-restocking programmes. Captive seed production could also help reduce dependence on wild fish stocks while strengthening efforts to conserve Kashmir’s native aquatic biodiversity.
Congratulating the scientists, SKUAST-K Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai said the achievement goes beyond a scientific milestone and represents an important contribution towards safeguarding Kashmir’s native aquatic biodiversity.
He expressed confidence that continued collaboration among 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 breakthrough reinforces SKUAST-K’s efforts to develop science-based and sustainable solutions for conserving Jammu and Kashmir’s cold-water fisheries resources and protecting its unique aquatic biodiversity.
