ICAR-Central Institute of Coldwater Fisheries Research (ICAR-CICFR) is the nodal research institution in India for scientifically driving the sustainable development of coldwater fisheries and aquaculture in the Indian uplands, under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). From a humble beginning in 1963, as Coldwater Fisheries Research Unit of ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, at Harwan, Kashmir, the institute was first established as an independent National Research Centre on Coldwater Fisheries, headquartered in Bhimtal, on 24th September, 1987. Subsequently, in 2008, it was further elevated as ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research with operational coverage from the Union Territory of Ladakh in the Northwest to Arunachal Pradesh in the Northeast. Realizing the need for targeted intensification and expansion of the Institute’s activities, two specialized divisions were formed in 2023. The Upland Fish Production division focuses on boosting coldwater aquaculture and the Hill Environment and Resource Management division has the task of sustainably managing and conserving the upland aquatic biodiversity. Recently, in February 2025, ICAR-DCFR was ultimately upgraded as ICAR-Central Institute of Coldwater Fisheries Research, with a national vision to make coldwater fisheries and aquaculture an important economic activity, and source of livelihood and nutritional security in the Indian uplands.
With continuous and persistent efforts over the years, ICAR-CICFR has positioned itself to responsibly augment and invigorate coldwater fisheries and aquaculture in India, guaranteeing economic development for the upland communities and environmental sustainability. The institute possess scientific expertise for assessing and managing coldwater fisheries resources; developing technologies and models for sustainable hill aquaculture and formulating strategies for holistic growth of the sector. The institute strives to be a Centre of Excellence in coldwater fisheries and aquaculture, with a strong mandate to conduct basic, strategic and applied research for the meticulous development of fisheries resource management models and culture technologies for major coldwater fish species such as rainbow trout, mahseer and snow trout. Besides, the Institute serves as a nodal point for capacity building, skill development, awareness, exposure and consultancy / contract services related to coldwater fisheries and aquaculture.
In particular, our fisheries resource management research encompasses biodiversity assessment and ecological studies of upland aquatic habitats, conservation of important endemic fishes, geospatial mapping of the coldwater aquatic resources, environment monitoring and impact assessment, climate change associated vulnerability and risk assessment, and development of fish-based ecotourism models and ecosystem services. With respect to hill aquaculture, we work on developing resource efficient fish production systems, recirculating aquaculture models for different production stages, breeding technologies for commercially important food and ornamental fishes, genetic improvement interventions, high performance feeds and nutrient-sensitive feeding strategies, novel disease diagnostics and therapeutics, comprehensive disease surveillance, synthetic peptide engineering, in vitro meat, cutting-edge biotechnological toolbox for the enhancement of production traits, and fish value-chain. We disseminate the developed technologies and products, through streamlined human resource development programmes and developmental outreach activities which directly support the farmers, entrepreneurs, government officials and other interested stakeholders. We also encourage, nurture and build partnerships with national and international organizations and industries which are involved in fisheries and allied activities.