The rapid expansion of trout farming in Kashmir is facing a new environmental challenge as pesticide pollution from nearby apple orchards increasingly contaminates water sources used for fish ponds. Farmers say the excessive use of agricultural chemicals is leading to repeated incidents of fish deaths and significant financial losses.
In the village of Zawoora in the Shopian district of south Kashmir, trout farmer Shakir Nazir has witnessed hundreds of fish dying in his ponds several times since he started his fish farm in 2012. According to him, mass fish deaths have occurred four to five times over the years, leaving fish floating belly-up in the ponds.
Nazir and other fish farmers blame the problem on pesticides used in surrounding apple orchards. Farmers in the region often dispose of leftover pesticides and fungicides into nearby streams, which eventually flow into fish ponds. This contaminated water can kill fish and fish seed, causing serious economic damage to aquaculture businesses.
The trout farmer said he has suffered losses estimated between ₹20 lakh and ₹22 lakh due to such incidents.
South Kashmir districts such as Shopian district, Pulwama district, Kulgam district and Anantnag district are widely known for their extensive apple orchards. Apple farming forms the backbone of the region’s horticulture-based economy and provides livelihoods to thousands of families and seasonal workers.
However, protecting apple crops from pests requires heavy chemical spraying. Between March and November each year, about 7,750 metric tonnes of pesticides and 3,186 metric tonnes of insecticides are reportedly used in orchards across the region. During rainfall or irrigation, these chemicals can wash into nearby streams and water bodies.
Officials from the Jammu and Kashmir Fisheries Department say contamination of water sources is the main cause behind fish deaths in many trout farms. At least nine confirmed cases of mass fish deaths were reported in south Kashmir during the first six months of 2025 alone.
The pollution issue is particularly concerning because trout farming has grown rapidly in the region over the past decade. Trout production increased from just 298 tonnes in 2015–16 to 1,663 tonnes in 2021–22. Production continued to rise to 1,990 tonnes in 2022–23, then 2,380 tonnes in 2023–24, and reached about 2,650 tonnes in 2024–25.
The sector’s revenue has also expanded steadily, growing from ₹2.76 crore in earlier years to around ₹4.75 crore recently.
Despite this growth, fish farmers warn that the future of trout aquaculture could be at risk if pesticide pollution continues unchecked. They are urging authorities to regulate chemical disposal practices and improve monitoring of water bodies that supply fish farms.
Farmers say stricter enforcement and better environmental protection measures are necessary to prevent further losses and protect both the aquaculture industry and local ecosystems in Kashmir.