As part of an endeavor to arouse scientific aptitude and awareness towards career goals, the Jammu and Kashmir Science Technology & Innovation Council, Department of Science and Technology has organized an educational tour for the students of the Government Girls High School, Narwara, Srinagar, of Asia's largest trout fish farm in Kokernag.
The Department of Science and Technology organized, on October 5, a visit as part of an initiative undertaken to engage students in hands-on learning. Fisheries Inspector, Dr Ubaid Qayoom, formally welcomed the students on behalf of Director of Fisheries Abdul Majid Tak and Chief Project Officer Sajjad Hussain Dar for an illuminating visit around the facility.
On the tour, Dr. Qayoom explained everything from the delicate egg stage up to the mature fish to visitors, the complete lifecycle of trout. He pointed out that trout farming was introduced into Kashmir over a century ago and began well from then onwards and flourished really well ever since, and contributed hugely to both local biodiversity as well as economy.
The students eagerly wanted to see various stages of trout growth; and, of course, one was even more than five kilograms in weight. Dr Qayoom said Kashmir had a great network of fish farms, along with small trout farms at Mamar, Dachigam, and Pahalgam. In fact, these are very important farm projects run by the Department of Fisheries, as they have been helping to preserve the region's aquatic biodiversity and sustaining local livelihoods through aquaculture.
The Fisheries Department is committed to the sustainable management of these farms and the promotion of aquaculture as a viable economic activity, said Dr. Qayoom.
Additional Director of the J&K Science Technology and Innovation Council, Dr. Nasir Shah, said the best benefits of outdoor learning activities were that excursions like these helped enhance conceptual understanding by exposing students to real-world applications of what they learn in class. "Scientific explorations go a long way in making views inclusive and inspiring innovation",m he said.
The expedition was possible as declared by Science and Technology Department and the Fisheries Department. As reported by students, it appreciates both organizations that made their educational tour enlightened about science and agriculture and interested in some professions related to these fields.
It was the same batch of students who had earlier enjoyed an educational tour arranged by the Science Technology Department to visit Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. Headmistress Kounser Jan appreciated the relentless efforts being made by the Department when she said: 'Tours like these go a long way to help cultivate a scientific temperament along with career ambition among young students'.
