Sindh Stream

SINDH STREAM AN INTRODUCTION By: Yasin Bhat (M. Sc.) An important tributary of river Jehlum .The sindh stream is one of the principle Trout inhabited streams of J&K state. This is also the most important of torrents of the district Srinagar. It originates from Tarsar, the high altitude lake in Zaberwan mountain range in North West of Srinagar and enters the district boundaries at Baltal in the North East and after traversing a distance of about 95 Kms joins River Jehlum at Shadi Pora. At Preng another stream known as Wangeth Nallah also joins the sindh, besides Chattergul Nallah at Wussan. Numerous streamlets coming down from snow-clad hills as a result of melting of snow, also joins the sindh stream almost all along its course. A branch of it is known as Nangdara stream that branches out at Gangerhama joins back at Malpora village. At Manigam village, a canal known as Lar kul emerges out of the sindh stream and follows through the Lar block to irrigate thousands of canals of land. The sindh stream follows through two out of three Tehsils of district Srinagar. The two Tehsils are Kangan and Ganderbal. FISH AND FISHERIES The fish fauna includes Brown Trout, Botia, and Glyptothorax species. The most relished fish species locally called “CHERRU” (Schizothorax esocinus) is also found in the stream. It is very important trout stream from angling point of view. Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists visit Kashmir Valley and most of them come for fishing in this stream, from April to end of September. The stream has been divided into number of beats.

The stream is famous for sports fishing. People from far and wide places from India as well abroad come for Angling. The department of Fisheries issues permits at daily basis from April to September. The permits are issued to locals for a sum of rupees 500/= per day and to the foreigners @1000/ day. For effective watch and ward against illegal fishing vigilant staff has been deployed along its length. The stream length has been divided into 18 beats that are listed below.

LIST OF TROUT BEATS IN DISTRICT SRINAGAR WITH LOCATION AND DISTANCE S.No.

Name of the beat

Locality

1.

Sindh Kullan

Sindh valley

2 3.

Sindh Gund Sindh Sumbal

4. 5. 6 7

Sindh Mammer Sindh Chanwan Sindh Kangan Sindh preng

8 9 10 11 12 13

Sindh Wussan Sindh Haripora Sindh Woyil Sindh Gabgerhama Sindh Lowest Upper Wangath

14

Lower Wangath

Distance from Srinagar(Km)

Lodging/camping facility

64

Tiffin shed Kullan

-do-do-

60 58

-do-do-do-do-

52 47 39 38

-doAnglers Mammer -do-do-doAnglers lodge Wussan -do-do-do-do-doTourist Hut at Naranag Anglers lodge Wussan

-do-do-do-do-doWangath -do-

34 29 27 20 17 40 37

Nature of trout stream

Snow fed stream -dolodge -do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-

HIGH ALTIDUE LAKES 15 16 17 18

Kishensar Vishenasar Gangabal Nankhul

Motorable upto Sonamarg -do-do-do-

Camping round -do-do-do-

-do-do-do-do-

Apart from trout Angling permits the department issues professional licences @ Rs200/ per year to fishermen to fish in reserved area that is from Ganderbal bridge downwards The Rod licence @ Rs100/ per year are also issued in this area to those who catch local and carp fishes for recreation. In reserved area, however fishing of every kind is prohibited in May and June because this is the breading season of the local fish Schizothorax. In the reserved area, waste wood (HAKREZA) licences of denomination of Rs 120/= is also issued to Hakreza collectors on yearly basis.