MANSEHRA: The district administration has finalised a strategy to curb infectious diseases that have severely infected wild and farmed trout fish species in the Kunhar River in Kaghan Valley.

“Various measures have been planned and are being implemented to protect trout fish species following the outbreak of a viral infection in the Kunhar River,” the assistant commissioner of Balakot, Hasrat Khan, told journalists on Monday.

A meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Mian Behzad Adil and attended by the assistant commissioner of Balakot, deputy superintendent of police, director fisheries and officials of other departments discussed in detail measures to protect the cold-water trout fish following the outbreak of viral infection in the valley.

According to the report, trout fish have been severely affected and perished due to the infection.

“Kaghan Valley remains cut off from the rest of the district due to heavy snowfall, and we will be able to launch large-scale activities in the Kunhar River once Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad road reopens in March or April,” Mr Khan said.

He said that both wild and farmed trout fish had been affected by the viral outbreak and district administration had evolved a comprehensive strategy to protect the species.

“We have also launched an awareness drive for fish farmers in lower parts of Kaghan Valley regarding proper feeding, water temperature and management to ensure the safety of trout,” he said.

Trout fish species are found only in the Kunhar River in Kaghan Valley in Hazara division.

Meanwhile, the district administration has also launched a crackdown on illegal filling of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders in public transport vehicles in the city and its suburbs.

A joint team of the administration, police and other departments conducted surprise visits to Lari Adda, sealed several shops and confiscated machines and cylinders used for filling gas into passenger vehicles.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2026