Ravi River Snow Trout and Himalayan Fisheries Chamba

The Ravi river originating in the high Himalayan glaciers of Chamba district is one of the last pristine mountain river systems in the Western Himalayas supporting healthy populations of Snow Trout (Schizothorax) and other cold-water fish species. Traditional Gaddi fishing communities use hook-and-line methods and traditional basket traps refined over generations. The river's upper reaches above Chamba town remain largely free from pollution and habitat degradation. The high-altitude Manimahesh lake connected to the Ravi system is sacred and no fishing is permitted there, effectively creating a protected sanctuary for fish breeding. Community-established no-take zones at certain river stretches maintain fish populations. Traditional ecological knowledge of fish seasonality, feeding behaviour, and habitat preferences guides sustainable harvest practices.