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@article{206203,
        author = {Dr. Ather Hussain},
        title = {“EVALUATION OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS AND FISHERIES POTENTIAL IN THE CHENAB BASIN OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR”},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {2},
        pages = {405-416},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=206203},
        abstract = {The Chenab Basin in Jammu and Kashmir represents one of the most significant coldwater riverine systems of the Western Himalaya, characterized by diverse aquatic habitats and substantial fisheries potential. The present study evaluates the ecological status of aquatic ecosystems and assesses the fisheries potential across different stretches of the Chenab River and its tributaries. The results indicate that the upper and middle reaches of the basin maintain relatively good water quality, with favorable conditions for coldwater fish species, particularly indigenous taxa. However, spatial variability in habitat structure, flow regimes, and substrate composition significantly influences fish distribution and abundance. The ichthyofaunal composition is dominated by coldwater species, though localized pressures such as habitat degradation, unsustainable fishing practices, and anthropogenic disturbances are emerging concerns in certain stretches.
The study highlights that the Chenab Basin possesses considerable potential for sustainable capture fisheries development, provided that ecological integrity is maintained. This assessment provides a baseline for future ecological monitoring and sustainable fisheries planning in the Western Himalayan river systems.},
        keywords = {Chenab Basin, Jammu and Kashmir, aquatic ecosystems, fisheries potential, coldwater fisheries, ichthyofauna, Himalayan rivers, river ecology.},
        month = {July},
        }