The Government of India has approved a Rs 100-crore Integrated Aqua Park project in Anantnag district of Jammu & Kashmir aimed at strengthening aquaculture infrastructure, boosting cold-water fisheries and generating employment opportunities in the region.
The announcement was made by Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh during the National Conference on Cold Water Fisheries held at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre in Srinagar. The conference was organised by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India.
The event was attended by several dignitaries including Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying S. P. Singh Baghel.
According to the government, the Integrated Aqua Park in Anantnag will help develop modern aquaculture infrastructure, improve fish production and promote the growth of cold-water fisheries in the Himalayan region. The project is also expected to create new livelihood opportunities for fish farmers and entrepreneurs.
Addressing the gathering, Rajiv Ranjan Singh stressed the need to scale up trout production and strengthen the income of cold-water fish farmers. He highlighted the importance of improving productivity, expanding value addition and tapping global export markets where trout and other cold-water species are in strong demand.
The minister said the government is focusing on developing an end-to-end value chain so that cold-water regions can efficiently produce, process and market fish products. Improved access to modern infrastructure and stronger market linkages will play a crucial role in achieving this objective.
He also urged states and Union Territories to organise fish farmers through cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs). Singh noted that the sanctioned ₹100-crore Aqua Park and funding support under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) would help local enterprises scale up their operations.
During the conference, the Union Minister, the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister jointly released the Model Guidelines for Reservoir Fisheries and Aquaculture Management. The guidelines aim to provide a comprehensive framework for sustainable fisheries development. They include provisions related to scientific seed stocking, cage and pen-based aquaculture systems, leasing and governance mechanisms, biodiversity conservation, value-chain linkages and monitoring systems.
Speaking at the event, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the Integrated Aqua Park would act as a major catalyst for the growth of the fisheries sector in Jammu & Kashmir. Sinha noted that the Himalayan region is a natural hub for India’s cold-water fisheries. He said systematic interventions in broodstock development, hatcheries, feed mills and recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) units have already helped improve the sector’s capabilities.
He emphasised that strengthening market linkages and enhancing the incomes of fish farmers must remain central to future strategies. With continued support from the Government of India, Jammu & Kashmir is expected to move towards sustainable and inclusive growth in cold-water fisheries.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also highlighted the importance of sustainably harnessing the region’s rich cold-water resources. He stressed the need to adopt modern technologies and scientific practices to expand aquaculture without compromising ecological balance.
Abdullah added that closer collaboration with research institutions and adoption of best practices from other regions could further strengthen productivity and resilience in the fisheries sector. He noted that with modern technology, cold-water fisheries can expand across different parts of the Union Territory, creating new livelihood opportunities.