How Climate Change Is Affecting Trout Farming in Swat

The pristine rivers of Swat Valley once supported a thriving trout farming sector, relying on glacial cold waters and steady seasonal flows. But in recent years, the devastating 2022 floods, intensified by climate change, have struck this industry hard. Today, the future of trout farming in Swat hangs in the balance.

🌊 The 2022 Floods and Their Impact

From June to October 2022, Pakistan experienced its worst flooding in history—killing over 1,700 people and damaging infrastructure, homes, and farms across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In Swat, torrential rains and glacial melt triggered debris flows and flash floods that overwhelmed riverbanks and trout hatcheries.

Approximately 229 of the 300 trout farms in Swat were completely destroyed. Hundreds of tonnes of fish stock and hatchery infrastructure were lost. The economic impact was estimated at over Rs 2 billion, and rural communities suffered severe livelihood losses.

📉 Economic and Social Fallout

Many farmers invested decades of work, capital, and savings into trout farming. One farmer, Usman Ali Swati, lost seven farms worth over USD 1.25 million in one night. Others reported migration, selling land or jewelry just to restart operations at a smaller scale.

With trout farming employing up to 1,500 people directly—and thousands more through related tourism, food services, and logistics—the social impact was widespread. Many skilled workers moved to cities or abroad for alternative income.

⚠️ Climate Change and Ongoing Risks

Experts note that Pakistan’s monsoon rainfall in Swat during August 2022 exceeded historical averages by 7–8%. The combination of glacial melt, poor forest cover, and steep topography worsens the flood risk—this mirrors patterns seen in the 2010 floods, showing a clear climate trend.

Warmer temperatures and erratic rainfall have also raised river temperatures, making them less suitable for cold-water trout species and increasing disease risks.

🌱 Local Resilience and Adaptation Efforts

Despite the devastation, many farmers are rebuilding. Some are relocating ponds away from riverbanks, elevating structures, and adopting hatchery systems designed to withstand floods. However, finance remains a major barrier: setting up a single hatchery can cost over Rs 10 million.

Government initiatives like the Development of Cold Water Fisheries Project and support from WWF Pakistan aim to improve community resilience, restore livelihoods, and promote climate-smart aquaculture practices.

🎥 Stories from the Ground

In our exclusive interview with local farmers in Mingora and Madyan, they shared stories of loss, rebuilding, and resilience. Some are now mentoring younger generations, training them in modern aquaculture, while advocating for long-term climate adaptation funding and policy support.

Trout farming is more than a source of food—it's part of Swat’s cultural and economic backbone. Protecting it means investing in nature-based solutions, infrastructure, and grassroots education that prepares communities for a warming world.