Bait ul Meeras – The House of Heritage, in collaboration with the Fly Fishing and Conservation Society of Kashmir (FFCSK), organised a conservation awareness drive at Aali Kadal here on Sunday to highlight the ecological impact of poaching and the need to protect Kashmir’s waterways.
Held under the theme “Poaching is Poison for Our Streams”, the campaign also carried the message “Say No to Drugs, Yes to Fishing”, seeking to promote responsible angling and nature-based activities among young people.
Sheikh Tahir Rehman, an angler, artificial fly-tying expert and organiser of the initiative, said poaching was not limited to the loss of fish but affected the wider aquatic ecosystem.
He stressed the need for responsible angling, greater community awareness and collective efforts to protect streams and aquatic life.
Rehman said fly fishing could provide young people with constructive engagement with nature while fostering patience, discipline, observation and respect for the environment.
Nighat Shafi Pandit, chairperson of HELP Foundation and Bait ul Meeras, said the initiative reflected the close link between cultural heritage and the natural environment.
“Heritage is not restricted to buildings and artefacts. Kashmir’s rivers, streams, landscapes, traditional practices and the relationship people have shared with nature are equally part of its living heritage,” she said.
Pandit said protecting heritage also meant safeguarding the environment that had shaped Kashmir’s culture and way of life.
Dr Musadiq Alaqband, an angler, said responsible fishing should begin with respect for the ecosystem, adding that anglers must understand and help preserve the environment in which fish survive.
Angler Khawar Manzoor called for greater awareness about the consequences of poaching and the importance of responsible fishing practices, particularly among young people.
Anglers Huzaif and Zubair also stressed the need to protect Kashmir’s waterways and trout populations through responsible practices and community participation.
Environmentalist Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat highlighted the broader ecological significance of healthy streams, saying the condition of waterways was closely linked to the health of surrounding ecosystems and communities.
He called for sustained conservation efforts rather than limiting awareness initiatives to one-day campaigns.
The organisers said the “Say No to Drugs, Yes to Fishing” message was aimed at encouraging healthier choices among young people by promoting outdoor activities that foster patience, concentration and a sense of responsibility.
The programme concluded with a call to citizens, anglers and environmentalists to work together to protect Kashmir’s streams and aquatic biodiversity.
The organisers summed up the campaign with the message: “Our Heritage. Our Streams. Our Responsibility.”
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