Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Union Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Visits Munsyari Coldwater Fisheries Cluster; Interacts with Trout Farmers and Reviews Cluster Development Initiatives

Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Union Secretary for the Department of Fisheries, visited the Munsyari Coldwater Fisheries Cluster in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, on October 18, 2026, to review coldwater aquaculture development. During his visit, he interacted with trout farmers at Johar Matsya Swayatt Sehkarita and Namjala Trout Farm, recognizing the role of local cooperatives in adopting rainbow trout farming. The Government of India has notified 34 fisheries clusters nationwide, with Pithoragarh designated as a Cold Water Fisheries Cluster under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The government highlighted that PMMSY has invested over ₹2,299 crore in coldwater regions across six hilly states and union territories. Additionally, Uttarakhand has exported trout to Nepal and supplied trout to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) via an MoU.