Tawseef Ahmad
Bandipora, Oct 14 : A man from Poonch District of Jammu region transformed the village in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district through fish farming.
Nagwani Dardpora village in Bandipora was often characterized by its reliance on labor as a means of survival. The village, previously unaware of its potential for self-employment, was caught in a cycle of limited economic opportunities.
It was during a chance visit that Zaffar Choudhary from Poonch district recognized the abundant natural resources in the village and resolved to improve the lives of its residents.
Zaffar Choudhary, speaking to The Web Story, said that he noticed great potential for fish farming in the village due to its abundant water resources, including many waterfalls and a readily available water supply.
Zaffar said that to overcome initial resistance, primarily due to the low literacy rates prevalent in the area, I decided to educate and inspire the villagers about the possibilities of fish farming.
“Recognizing that actions would speak louder than words, I acquired a plot of land and established my very own fish farm by transforming an initially barren site into a successful venture to prove that we could achieve economic success”, he said.
Zaffar said that the impact was undeniable. As they witnessed my success and realized the possibilities awaiting them, the villagers gradually shed their skepticism and embraced the notion of fish farming.
“Impelled by the desire for self-sustainability and the opportunity to generate employment, they rallied together and started seeking guidance from me to establish their own fish farms”, he added.
Mohd Abdullah Paswal, a local social activist, told The Web Story that through trailblazing efforts, Zaffar Choudhary sparked an extraordinary transformation in Nagwani Dardpora.
He said that his innovative fish farming initiative has paved the way for economic empowerment, which leads the way towards self-sufficiency for a village previously tied to the cycle of labor work.
The success of Nagwani Dardpora’s fish farm has prompted others to pursue similar ventures, which has resulted in a significant shift in the economic landscape of the area.
