The members of the community blame among various reasons the untreated sewage that flows into the Dal as a reason for the declining fish population in the lake.
Authors
Deepanshu Mohan, Professor of Economics and Director, Centre for New Economics Studies, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.
Najam Us Saqib, PhD Student and a Research Analyst with CNES Visual Storyboard Team.
Ishfaq Wani, PhD Student and a Research Analyst with CNES Visual Storyboard Team.
Summary
Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of the Kashmir Valley, the Dal has become an icon for promoters of tourism in the area. The Dal, however, also presents a sorrowful tale of the overlooked existence of an indigenous fishermen community, the Hanjis, who have depended on the lake (and fishing there) for generations.
The Hanjis, as custodians of the Dal, who formerly relied on its resources for livelihood, are now at the precarious risk of extreme marginalisation and vulnerability due to the disturbance of the earlier perceived equilibrium between preserving ‘tradition’ and catering to the needs of ad-hoc expansion of urban development.
The art of fishing, which has been passed down through generations and has influenced the Hanji culture, has been one of the major contributors to the food ecosystem of the Valley and is the primary source of sustenance for the Ga’ad Haenz community. The community is facing a severe existential crisis because of various policies as well as negligence by the state and society alike.
Published in: The Quint
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