Dr. Amit Pande
DIRECTOR (Acting)
Greetings to one and all!
ICAR-Central Institute of Coldwater Fisheries Research (ICAR-CICFR) is the sole national agency responsible for carrying out research and development in coldwater fisheries and aquaculture in India. We play a key role in developing sustainable aquaculture systems, best aquaculture practices, quality inputs for increased fish production, fish welfare and health management, and in the preservation of coldwater ecosystems and aquatic biodiversity. ICAR-CICFR is committed to provide scientifically validated technologies and inputs to assist fish farmers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers in harnessing the potential of coldwater fisheries. Over the years the institute has immensely contributed to the expansion and intensification of coldwater aquaculture and conservation of aquatic biodiversity throughout the Indian Himalayan region and Peninsular uplands.
Despite several challenges related to the geographical terrain and remote locations, we have made significant research contributions which have translated into substantial economic benefits for the farmers and other stakeholders. Concerning resource management, we have systematically mapped the aquatic resources in several coldwater states using geoinformatics, developed captive breeding strategies for the conservation of endangered mahseer, assessed spatiotemporal changes and threat status of aquatic biodiversity in the hills, unravelled taxonomic ambiguities, carried out environmental impact assessment studies and drafted fisheries management plans. For coldwater aquaculture expansion, we have developed RAS-based hatcheries and grow-out models for intensive production of rainbow trout using remarkably less water, land, and time.
Through public-private partnerships, we have developed a complete range of rainbow trout feeds which has reshaped the trout culture dynamics in the country, with an FCR of 0.9 to 1.1 and substantial improvement in seed quality, flesh quality and reproductive competence. Similarly, we have developed and validated brooder and larval feeds which significantly enhances mahseer breeding and seed production efficiency. We have an active disease surveillance programme spanning the entire Indian Himalayan region from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. We have developed novel diagnostic methods, prophylactic and therapeutic agents for the prevention and control of major coldwater fish pathogens. Moving towards cellular aquaculture, we have developed multiple cell lines and in vitro meat prototypes from coldwater fishes. We also have developed synthetic peptides, nanotechnological solutions and biotechnological interventions to improve induced breeding, growth, welfare and skewed sex ratios in different fishes. We have developed GIS-based aquaculture site suitability maps for different hill states as a decision support tool. For climate change adaptation and resilience, we have examined early life programming, validated functional feeds, and discovered stress coping mechanisms and identified sentinel taxon. For species diversification, we have achieved captive breeding of several endemic coldwater food and ornamental fishes, and we are making efforts to up-scale seed production. Likewise, for production system diversification, we are validating integrated fish farming and cage culture in the hilly regions. Adoption of artificial intelligence and post-harvest techniques is an important focus area for the future.
Besides research, we undertake meticulously planned extension and capacity building programmes to equip the farmers and other stakeholders with scientific information and best management practices to improve productivity and profit per unit effort. Through various developmental schemes, we reach out to marginalized communities in remote mountainous areas and painstakingly empower their quality of living and socio-economic status, while making conscious efforts to safeguard the environment. We take pleasure in training students and research scholars in various domains of coldwater fisheries and aquaculture, under our research projects. Concurrently, in our pursuit for scientific excellence and translational research, we cultivate productive collaborations and linkages with reputed national and international research organizations, government agencies, aquaculture-allied industries and entrepreneurs.