Central Secretary of the Fisheries Department, Dr. Abhilakh Likhie, visited the Munasari Cold Water Fisheries Cluster, engaged with trout farmers, and reviewed development activities.

Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, the Central Secretary of the Fisheries Department, recently made an official visit to the Sheetjal Fisheries Cluster located in Munsyari, Uttarakhand. The main objective of the trip was to establish direct dialogue with local farmers engaged in trout farming and to assess the overall development status of the cluster. The cluster, which was established over the past 5 years with special assistance from the state government, comprises about 200 acres of water bodies and, with a modern hydroponic system, has a production capacity of more than 1,500 trout fish. During the visit, Dr. Likhi reviewed the effectiveness of training programmes focused on water quality control, disease prevention, and high‑production technologies.

The cluster’s leading farmers informed the department of their challenges, including stable water flow, market access, and appropriate price setting. Dr. Likhi took these issues seriously and pledged rapid implementation of the latest sensor technology for water management and a digital market platform. He said that additional capital will be allocated in the upcoming financial year to strengthen the cluster’s infrastructure, including cold‑water storage tanks, bio‑filters, and recirculation systems. At the same time, the department plans to accelerate the certification process in line with national and international standards to boost trout export capacity.

Dr. Likhi praised the cooperation of local administration and farmers’ associations and stated that sheet‑water fisheries will not only increase rural incomes but also make a significant contribution to ecological balance and water‑resource conservation. He assured continuous monitoring and periodic technical updates for the sustainable development of the cluster.