Excelsior Correspondent
ANANTNAG, Dec 23: Senior Scientists from SKUAST, Kashmir today said that the mortality of fish in holy springs of Martand, Mattan in South Kashmir district of Anantnag was due to bacterial and fungal infection.
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Talking to media persons at Mattan near here, today while submitted the report after conducting thorough investigation of the alarming mortality of fish in three holy springs and stream at Mattan, they said there is nothing to panic and advised some precautionary measures to be adopted for future to avoid such catastrophe.
The Scientists said that after they were informed about the mortality of fish in the holy springs and stream they visited the area on December 16 and took samples of water and fish and put it to the scientific investigation. They said the infection can be the result of water deformity as bacterial and fungal infection was found in the dead fish.
They said the water quality derailment can be main cause of mortality and suggested periodic cleaning of the water body. Besides, the fish should be fed with the standardised feed with proper nutrients. They further said the unused feed stored at the bottom of the water bodies can also lead to such infections.
The Scientists in their report suggested certain measures to keep such infections at bay in future. They said there was an initial delay. However the measures were adopted in letter and spirit to control the infection and disease and there is nothing to panic. However in future precautions needed to be taken.
President of Martand Tirath Trust, Ashok Sidha who also talked to reporters said that the day they came to know about the mortality of fish, they informed Fisheries Department Anantnag who send a team and they poured the medicines in springs but the disease could not be controlled. Next day Assistant Director fisheries and his team visited and they also poured some medicines in the springs besides tried to provide feed to the fish but the mortality continued. Later the Scientists from SKUAST visited here, took samples and submitted report. He said all people in the area including Hindus , Muslims and Sikhs were concerned over the death of fish. He said in future no visitor will be allowed to feed the fish and instructions given by the Scientists will be strictly adhered to.
Meanwhile a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits led by M K Yogi, senior KP leader, Dr M K Bharat and Veer Ji Pandita visited Mattan and performed Puja at holy springs to invoke the divine blessings. They also called on DC Anantnag and appealed him that adequate steps be taken to protect the fish in the holy springs and a thorough investigation be held about the cause of the alarming mortality of the fish in three springs and stream.
They said the alarming mortality of the fish is a cause of concern among the people as Martand shrine is a matter of religious faith for Hindus all over globe. Hence the administration should take all measures in ensuring that such a catastrophe does not take place in future.
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