Chinese fishes gaining popularity in Jammu and Kashmir

SRINAGAR - Chinese fishes are gaining popularity among locals and authorities in the Kashmir valley, as they are easier to breed and cheaper than other meats, such as chicken and mutton.

The State’s Department of Fisheries had introduced Chinese fishes a few years ago for the Pisciculture Programme as they grew better and faster.

“We introduced these fishes here because our local fishes, the Schizothorax, their growth is very less. It is just one kilogram in two or two-and-a-half years, and the other problem is that we cannot use them in inland fisheries where we cannot grow them. So, compared to them, Chinese fishes become one kilo to two kilos in about a year’s time. The protein production, like the mutton’s price has gone up - keeping that in mind, the Department of Fisheries has adopted this,” said Tameem Ahmad.

Chinese carp are also known for their high nutritional value.

Locals have also taken to the Chinese carp, as their prices are very competitive.

“It’s a cheap fish, the price of these fishes is about 80 rupees a kilo, whereas the price of meat today is about two hundred rupees and chicken have also become expensive,” said Muzaffar Malik, a customer.

Fishery has thus become a stable source of revenue and integral part of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, which has been hit by militancy for the last few decades. By Afzal Bhat (ANI)