Fish Deaths at Sherbagh Spring Raise Questions Over Absence of Testing Lab in South Kashmir
Srinagar, Feb 24, KNT: Hundreds of fish have died at Sherbagh spring in Anantnag district, triggering concern among inhabitants and raising serious questions about the absence of a functional testing laboratory for the Fisheries Department in South Kashmir.
Officials of the Fisheries Department have attributed the mass deaths to the presence of toxins in the water. However, sources within the department said that there is no dedicated laboratory in South Kashmir to scientifically examine water samples or conduct post-mortem analysis of the dead fish.
The region, often described as the land of springs due to its numerous freshwater sources, lacks a basic diagnostic facility to test water quality or detect contamination. Sources told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the department earlier relied on a laboratory in Srinagar for such examinations, but that facility has reportedly remained non-functional for a considerable period.
Locals expressed concern that without proper laboratory verification, the exact cause of the fish deaths remains uncertain. They said that attributing the incident to toxins without timely scientific analysis leaves room for speculation and fails to address potential environmental or public health risks.
Environmental observers noted that repeated fish mortality incidents can have ecological and economic implications, especially in areas dependent on freshwater resources. They stressed the need for establishing a fully equipped testing laboratory in South Kashmir to ensure rapid response and credible assessment in such situations.
Concerned citizens have called for strengthening infrastructure in the Fisheries Department to enable timely monitoring of water bodies and prevent recurrence of similar events. [KNT]
