The once-thriving trout fish farming sector in Bhunja, a scenic hub in Kaghan Valley known for its cold-water resources, is teetering on the edge of collapse.
Severe floods over the past two years have wreaked havoc, damaging infrastructure, destroying water channels, and ruining ponds across dozens of farms.
An unidentified disease plaguing trout for several years has led to mass fish deaths, inflicting heavy financial losses on farmers who have invested significantly in the business.
Many ponds remain unrepaired, disrupting essential water supply and rendering large-scale breeding unviable. The combination of natural disasters and persistent health issues has pushed numerous operators out of the trade, delivering a major blow to the local economy that once benefited from this profitable venture.
Seed Shortages and Official Inaction Compound Crisis
Farmers report that the government hatchery at Shino Jared has failed to supply trout seed for an extended period, forcing them to source fingerlings from distant regions like Gilgit-Baltistan and Swat.
This incurs exorbitant transportation costs and high seed mortality rates, with losses running into hundreds of thousands of rupees per consignment. Despite the farms originally being established under government ADP schemes, no financial assistance has been provided to restore flood-damaged channels or ponds.
The Fisheries Department stands accused of prolonged neglect, with no efforts to diagnose the mysterious disease or provide support. Local stakeholders warn that without urgent intervention—such as infrastructure repairs, seed availability, disease research, and financial aid—the industry risks total extinction, threatening livelihoods in this mountainous region dependent on aquaculture for income and employment.