New Delhi, 18 October 2026: Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India, visited Munsyari in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, to review the progress of coldwater aquaculture development in the Himalayan region.
Interaction with Trout Farmers
The Secretary interacted with farmers at the Johar Matsya Swayatt Sehkarita, Namjala Trout Farm, and appreciated the role of local cooperatives in adopting rainbow trout farming as a sustainable livelihood. He noted that Munsyari, with the glacial streams of the Gori Ganga, has emerged as a hub for rainbow trout culture, turning subsistence farming into a semi-commercial enterprise.
Pithoragarh a Cold Water Fisheries Cluster
Pithoragarh is among the 34 fisheries clusters notified by the Government of India and has been designated a Cold Water Fisheries Cluster under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Uttarakhand is exporting trout to Nepal and supplying it to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) under an MoU.
Strategic Importance and Investment
Dr. Likhi highlighted that coldwater fisheries in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are important for livelihoods, nutritional security and exports. Under PMMSY, over ₹2,299 crore has been invested in these regions, with more than 5,600 raceways, 54 hatcheries, 293 cold storages and 260 feed mills sanctioned. Trout production has grown sixfold in a decade to nearly 5,000 MT annually, and Uttarakhand made its first export to Nepal in June 2026.
Uttarakhand’s Initiatives
The state has sanctioned projects worth ₹317 crore, including fish markets, landing centres and an integrated aquapark at Sitarganj. Its Trout Protsahan Yojna, with an outlay of ₹170 crore, aims to establish 1,500 raceways, 100 mini hatcheries and 600 cold-storage facilities by 2028–29.
Scientific Support and Impact
The Secretary commended ICAR–Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research (DCFR), Bhimtal, for supporting seed production, disease management and farmer training. He said coldwater aquaculture is raising farmers’ incomes, promoting ecotourism, helping conserve Mahseer and strengthening border village economies.
Source: PIB Delhi, 18 October 2026
