Conservation Imperatives for Kashmir's Wetlands and Water Bodies 

Save Water Bodies, Save Kashmir

Drive 1: Awareness, Involvement & Engagement

Date: Tuesday, 8th September 2026
Location: Wayil (Ganderbal) & Kangan
Team: Kashmir Anglers Team

Our first drive under this initiative focused on building community awareness around the protection of Kashmir's water bodies — starting with the people who live and work closest to them.

Wayil, Ganderbal — Community Engagement

The team engaged directly with local shopkeepers, vendors, and tourists to spread awareness about protecting Kashmir's rivers and ponds. Discussions centered on:

• The importance of clean rivers and ponds, and clearing unwanted waste from nearby water sources

• Why clean water is critical for the survival of trout fish

• Responsible waste management — using dustbins and avoiding polythene near riverbanks

• The need for stricter laws and enforcement to penalize pollution and habitat damage

Kangan — River Cleanup & Fisheries Department Meeting

The team then moved to Kangan, where they carried out a cleanup drive near the Fisheries Department, clearing large amounts of plastic, diapers, wrappers, plastic bottles, and other waste left along the riverbank.

The team also met with officials from the Fisheries Department to discuss the declining trout population, largely driven by depleting water levels. Key topics included:

• Sustainable river management to protect trout in their natural habitat

• The broader need to clean and preserve surrounding water bodies

• The dangers of poaching, illegal netting, electric shock fishing, and chemical use — and their long-term damage to aquatic ecosystems

This first drive marks the beginning of a sustained effort to clean, protect, and preserve Kashmir's water bodies and trout habitats — one community conversation at a time.