Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, made an official visit to Munsyari in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, on 18 October 2026 to assess the progress of coldwater aquaculture development in the Himalayan region.
During the visit, the Secretary met trout farmers at Johar Matsya Swayatt Sehkarita, Namjala Trout Farm, Munsyari, and praised local cooperatives for their pioneering role in taking up rainbow trout farming as a sustainable source of livelihood. He observed that Munsiyari, fed by the glacial streams of the Gori Ganga and blessed with ideal water temperatures, has become a hub for rainbow trout culture, turning subsistence farming into a semi‑commercial enterprise.Dr. Likhi held discussions with trout fish farmers, who spoke about their experiences and shared insights on trout farming in the region.
Across the country, the Government of India has notified 34 fisheries clusters. Under PMMSY, Pithoragarh has been notified as a Cold Water Fisheries Cluster, offering significant scope to strengthen fisheries cooperatives, widen livelihood opportunities and advance sustainable fisheries development in the Himalayan region.The Secretary's visit is seen as an important step towards further strengthening trout farming in Uttarakhand and other Himalayan regions.The Department of Fisheries, Government of Uttarakhand, exports trout to Nepal and also supplies trout to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) under an MoU signed between the Government of Uttarakhand and ITBP.
The Secretary pointed out that coldwater fisheries in hilly states such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh hold strategic importance for livelihood diversification, nutritional security, and export potential.He stressed that under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Government of India has invested more than ₹2,299 crore in coldwater regions, backing raceways, hatcheries, feed mills, cold storages, and post‑harvest infrastructure.
Coldwater fisheries in India are concentrated in six hilly states and UTs — Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Glacier-fed rivers, high‑altitude lakes, and pristine streams in these regions create ideal ecological conditions for rainbow trout and other high‑value coldwater species. More than 5,600 raceways, 54 hatcheries, 293 cold storages, and 260 feed mills have been sanctioned across these states under PMMSY. Over the last decade, trout production has risen six‑fold to nearly 5,000 MT a year, and Uttarakhand made its first international export to Nepal in June 2026.
Uttarakhand has received sanction for projects worth ₹317 crore, covering modern fish markets, landing centres, and an integrated aquapark at Sitarganj. The state has also rolled out the Trout Protsahan Yojna with an outlay of ₹170 crore, which aims to set up 1,500 raceways, 100 mini hatcheries, and 600 cold‑storage facilities by 2028–29.
The Secretary lauded ICAR‑Central Institute of Coldwater Fisheries Research (DCFR), Bhimtal, for bringing rainbow trout to Munsiyari and for its scientific support in seed production, disease management, and farmer training. He also hailed Uttarakhand's first-ever trout export to Nepal in June 2026 as a historic milestone that has opened fresh avenues for international trade.
The visit further highlighted the socio‑economic benefits of trout farming in border villages, including livelihood diversification, eco‑tourism opportunities, and assured institutional market linkages with the Indo‑Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
He stressed that coldwater aquaculture is not only raising farmers' incomes but is also supporting eco‑tourism, the conservation of endangered species like Mahseer, and the strengthening of border village economies.