Qazigund, May 18, 2025: The Panzath Fish Festival, a centuries-old tradition, was celebrated with fervor in Panzath village, Qazigund, Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday, May 18, 2025. Hundreds of villagers gathered to honor the time-honored practice of fishing and protecting sacred springs, which serve as vital sources of irrigation and drinking water for over 25 villages in the Qazigund belt. The festival, centered around the Panzath Nag stream, blends cultural heritage with environmental stewardship, ensuring the springs remain clean and sustainable year-round.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from residents of Panzath and neighboring villages, who waded into the cool waters to catch rainbow trout and remove weeds and silt, preserving the health of the sacred springs. Locals, including elder Abdul Salam Wani, President of the Central Awqah Panzath, emphasized that the festival is not just about fishing but also about cleaning springs to maintain a flawless water flow, a practice handed down for over 900 years. The name “Panzath,” derived from “paanch” (five) and “hath” (hundred), reflects the village’s historical claim of having 500 springs, many of which continue to support agriculture and community welfare.
The festival fosters a sense of community teamwork and environmentalism, with villagers describing the day as festive, akin to Eid, as they unite to safeguard their natural resources. Environmentalists view the Panzath Nag Festival as a model for community-driven conservation, urging its replication across Kashmir to protect other water bodies. Locals also called for government support to develop Panzath as a tourist destination, noting its potential to boost livelihoods and create job opportunities for youth, especially after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha included it among 75 offbeat tourist spots.
The Panzath Fish Festival highlights Kashmir’s cultural heritage and underscores the importance of preserving sacred springs for irrigation and drinking water, reinforcing the region’s commitment to sustainability and tradition.
