Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the Kashmir Valley’s fisheries through this comprehensive exploration of its aquatic resources. "Fisheries of Himalayan Region" uncovers the rich biodiversity of this trans-Himalayan region, offering an in-depth examination of native fish species, their habitats, and the interconnectedness of local ecosystems with the culture and livelihoods of the people.

This book, featuring sixteen insightful chapters, delves into the biology and ecology of iconic species such as Schizothoracinae and Salmonid fishes, the introduction of exotic species, and the increasing challenges climate change poses. It provides a thorough understanding of the traditional fishing practices of the region, the development of sports fisheries, and the socio-economic benefits of aquatic resources. A must-read for researchers, policymakers, conservationists, and anyone passionate about sustainable fisheries, this book highlights the critical balance between human activities and the natural world. With a forward-looking perspective on fisheries management and conservation, "Fisheries of Himalayan Region" is a vital resource for ensuring the future of these aquatic ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Dr. Rinkesh Nemichand Wanjari

Dr. Rinkesh Nemichand Wanjari earned his Ph.D. in Fisheries Resource Management from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir, India. He also holds a Master of Fisheries Science (M.F.Sc) in Fisheries Resource Management from the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor at, the Department of Fisheries Resource Management, School of Fisheries, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha, India. Dr. Wanjari has qualified for the ICAR-JRF (2020), ICAR-NET (2021&2023), and ICAR-SRF (2021). He has published many research papers, abstracts, book chapters, and popular articles. He has specialization in Riverine Fisheries, Fish Stock Assessment, Marine Biology, Trawl Fisheries, Remote Sensing and GIS, Fish and Fisheries, Fisheries Biology, Population Dynamics and Ecological Modelling. He has presented at numerous national and international conferences and participated in various training programs and workshops. His accolades include the Best Poster Presentation at an international conference organized by the University of Mumbai, Best M.F.Sc. Thesis Award, and Best Ph.D. Research Scholar Award.

Mr. Zaheer Abass

            Mr. Zaheer Abass is pursuing his PhD at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir (SKUAST). He also completed his Master of Fisheries Science (M.F.Sc) in Fisheries Resource Management from the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai. Mr. Zaheer Abass has qualified for the ICAR-JRF (2020), ICAR-NET (2023), and ICAR-SRF (2022). He has been awarded a National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students to pursue a Ph.D. degree in 2023. He has his specialization in Fish Taxonomy, Fishing Technology, fish conservation and management, and geospatial tools (QGIS). He has published many research papers, abstracts, book chapters, and popular articles. He has presented at numerous national and international conferences and participated in various training programs and workshops.

Dr. Aadil Hussain Magloo

Dr. Aadil Hussain Magloo, the editor of this book, holds a Ph.D. in Fisheries Resource Management from the Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-K, which is India's only institution dedicated to coldwater fisheries. His expertise lies in the fields of Reproductive biology of fishes, stock assessment, and population dynamics, with a specific focus on coldwater species found in the Kashmir Valley. His contributions to the field are backed by a solid research portfolio, with multiple publications addressing key issues in fish biology, stock assessment, and the sustainable management of coldwater fisheries. Dr. Magloo is also the holder of a patent for a smart fishing rod design, showcasing his innovative approach to practical challenges in fisheries. Dr. Magloo has actively participated in various national and international conferences, and his academic excellence has been recognized with several accolades, including the prestigious Best Thesis Award. His practical experience extends to working as an assistant manager at K2 Aquaculture in Kangan, Ganderbal, Kashmir, which is a state-of-the-art recirculatory aquaculture project with an impressive production capacity of 1,800 tons of trout annually. His hands-on expertise covers fish handling, raising, and growing from the egg stage to market size, further showcasing his comprehensive knowledge of aquaculture.

Professor (Dr.) Tasaduq H. Shah

Dr. Tasaduq H. Shah is currently working as Professor cum Chief Scientist of Fishery Biology in the Division of Fisheries Resource Management, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-Kashmir, Rangil,Ganderbal (J&K). He has earlier served as Head, Division of Fisheries Resource Management, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-Kashmir and has M.F.Sc. and Ph.D. degree from Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE), Mumbai. He specialises in fish biology, biodiversity, fish stock assessment, conservation and management. He is the recipient of Hiralal Chaudhuri Gold Medal for merit during his master's programme and has twenty-seven years of experience in fisheries science. He has guided dozens of masters and doctoral students and published 95 research publications in leading national and international scientific journals.

Professor (Dr.) Farooz Ahmad Bhat

Dean, Head, and Professor-cum-Senior Scientist at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir, specializing in Fish Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology at the Division of Fisheries Resource Management (FRM). Holds an M.Phil. and Ph.D. in the field. The recipient of numerous awards and honors, including recognition as a Functional Area Expert (FAE) in Ecology and Biodiversity (NABET Accredited) and Fellowships from the Coldwater Fisheries Society of India (2019) and The Society of Life Sciences (2019). Awarded the Best Teacher Award at the university level for the academic year 2017-18. Possesses over 21 years of teaching experience, instructing B.F.Sc., M.F.Sc., and Ph.D. students since 2007, and over 19 years of research experience in Fisheries science.

1. Introduction to fish and fisheries of Kashmir - Tabish Farooq, Farooz A. Bhat, Durdana Qazi, Inab Majeed Bala, Saima Jan and Zaheer Abass

2. Aquatic resources of the Trans-Himalayan region - Dechen Chuskit, Farooz Ahmad Bhat, Rinkesh Nemichand Wanjari, Hudisa Banoo and Zaheer Abass

3. Aquatic resources and habitats of the Kashmir Valley - Inab M. Bala, Tasaduq H. Shah, Tabish Farooq, Mir Iqra Farooq, Saima Jan and Zaheer Abass

4.Fish faunal diversity of the Trans-Himalayan region - Zaheer Abass, Tasaduq Hussain Shah, Karankumar K. Ramteke, Rinkesh Nemichand Wanjari, Hudisa Banno, Dechen Chuskit and Inab M. Bala

5.Biology and ecology of Schizothoracinae from Kashmir waters - Ifrah Rashid, Tasaduq H. Shah, Ahali Jahan, Sobiya Gul and Zarka Yousuf

6.Biology and ecology of Salmonid fishes in Kashmir - Arizo Jan, Tasaduq Hussian Shah, Mir Iqra Farooq, Hudisa Banoo and Syed Talia Mushtaq

7.Study on the biological characteristics, reproductive behavior, and habitat adaptations of Chinese carp species in Kashmir's aquatic ecosystems - Bisma Khan, Tasaduq H. Shah, Rinkesh Nemichand Wanjari and Zaheer Abass

8. Morphological features, habitat preferences, and ecological role of Loaches in Kashmir Valley - Mir Iqra Farooq, Tasaduq Hussain Shah, Hudisa Banoo, Arizo Jan and Inab Majeed Bala

9. Impact of climate change on aquatic ecosystems and fisheries in Kashmir Valley: Challenges and adaptation strategies - Shivbhajan and Bahni Dhar

10. Traditional fishing gear and crafts used in Kashmir Valley - Vivek Chauhan, Muneshwar Pavan Kalyan, Arya Singh, Shyni K and Jham Lal

11. Aquatic weed types, their distribution, ecological impact, and management strategies in the water bodies of Kashmir Valley - Pritam Sarkar, Suraj Saha, Bhashwati Roy and Puja Rani Basak

12. Introduction of exotic fishes in Kashmir Valley and its effects - Hudisa Banoo, Farooz Ahmad Bhat, Rinkesh Nemichand Wanjari, Zaheer Abass, Dechen Chuskit, Mir Iqra Farooq and Arizo Jan

13. Exploration of sports fisheries development, techniques, socio-economic benefits, and sustainable practices in Kashmir Valley - Manabjyoti Barman, Sagar Ronad, Zaheer Abass, and Vipul Singh Badguzar

14. Fish health and disease management practices in Kashmir Valley - Kafeela Mukhtar Qureshi, Feroz Ahmad Shah, Irtifa Fayaz, Shabir Ahmad Dar, and Zaheer Abbas

15. Fisheries sector in Kashmir Valley:  The threats, opportunities and challenges - Asifa Wali and Tasaduq H. Shah

16.Forward-looking perspective on sustainable management, conservation strategies, and research opportunities for the future of fisheries in Kashmir - Rinkesh Nemichand Wanjari, Tasaduq Hussain Shah, Zaheer Abass, Hudisa Banoo and Dechan Chuskit, Manabjyoti Barman