Nainital: A conservation project to restore snow trout, locally known as “Asela”, has been launched in Nainital lake. The move aims to revive native fish populations and maintain ecological balance.The initiative is being led by the department of zoology at the DSB College of Kumaon University. As part of the project, a fish cage was installed in the lake on Thursday to rear snow trout fingerlings in a controlled natural environment. The fish were bred in the university’s zoology laboratory.Snow trout, a cold-water species native to Himalayan water bodies, plays a key role in maintaining aquatic ecosystems. Botany professor Lalit Tewari said it helps control algal growth, maintain water quality and prevent excessive moss formation.Vice-chancellor Prof (Col) Diwan Singh Rawat said, “Native fish species in Nainital lake had nearly disappeared about two decades ago. In response, the university set up a biofloc fisheries technology centre, where sustained efforts by department head Prof H C S Bisht and his team led to development of the aquaculture technique.”He said snow trout has since been successfully cultured at the DSB campus using both traditional and biofloc methods, a system that improves water quality and fish growth through microbial processes.
Two production cycles have been completed, with fish also being sold commercially.The project has now entered the next phase of reintroducing the species into the lake, with scientific monitoring of water quality and fish growth to be carried out by Prof Bisht’s team.Rawat said the long-term aim is to revive native fish populations while providing practical training in biofloc technology to students.The project has received support from local bodies, including municipal council chairperson Saraswati Khetwal and executive officer Rohitash Sharma.
