DIRECTOR
National Research Centre on Coldwater Fisheries
Bhimtal 263136, Distt: Nainital, Uttaranchal
Phone Nos. : 05942-247279,247280
FAX No. : 05942-247693
E. Mail : nrccwf@sancharnet.in;
nrccwf@rediffmail.com;

National Research Centre for Coldwater  Fisheries

MANDATE    THRUST AREAS   ACHIEVEMENTS   TECHNOLOGIES GENERATED 

The research on coldwater fisheries commenced with the establishment of Coldwater Fisheries Research unit of erstwhile CIFRI in 1963 as a Scheme under the III Five Year Plan. The Estimates Committee of the Fourth Lok Sabha (1967-68) emphasized the need for intensive research to provide a scientific basis for development of exotic and indigenous hill fisheries in the Himalayan and Southern states holding coldwater resources. Subsequently the working group on Agriculture Research and Education for the VII Plan strongly recommended for a separate NRC for coldwater fisheries. In 1987 the National Research Centre on Coldwater Fisheries was established with its temporary headquarters at Haldwani in Uttar Pradesh. Subsequently, it was shifted to Bhimtal (Nainital), Uttaranchal, in 1997.

The NRCCWF is the only national facility in the country where research investigations are undertaken both on capture and culture aspects with a focus on exotic and indigeneous coldwater fish species. The institute has created experimental farm facilities at Chirapani in the Champwat district of Uttaranchal  

MANDATE

1. To assess coldwater fishery resources in the upland areas and formulate strategies for their sustainable exploitation and suggest measures for their conservation and management
2. To conduct basic and applied research for sustainable culture systems for cold-water fish species, both indigenous and exotic in upland areas
3. To act as a repository of information on coldwater fishery with a systematic data-base
4. To undertake transfer of technology through training, education and extension-education programmes
5. To provide consultancy services

1. Up-scaling of existing technologies in coldwater fishery sector.
2. Growth enhancement in indigenous species & brood stock management.
   Yield enhancement through better diet and health management in trout & mahseer.
3. Developing Composite fish culture technology based on indigenous and exotic species for hills.
4. Cage culture feasibility in highland lakes and reservoirs as linkage programme with CIFRI
5. Harvest and Post-harvest issues in coldwater fishery sector as linkage programme with CIFT.
6. Evaluation of better exotics for aquaculture and sport fishing in hills
   High mountain fishery resource assessment and management.

ACHIEVEMENTS 

1. Artificial seed production of golden mahseer, Tor putitora
2. Seed Production of snow-trout, Schizothorax richardsonii
3. Biochemistry and nutrition of mahseer and snow-trout
4. Rearing and table production of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss at warmer temperatures.
5. Feed development and its pilot scale production for trout
6. Induced maturation in exotic Chinese carps at high altitudes
7. Fish biodiversity estimates in hill streams.
8. Estimates of production functions in Himalayan lakes for fishery enhancement.
9. Survey of high mountain lakes in Central Himalayas as food production units for defense forces and tribal population.

TECHNOLOGIES GENERATED 

1. Design for flow-through mahseer hatchery standardized
2. Feed formulation for trout and mahseer
3. Fish stocking policy for yield enhancement in Himalayan lakes.
4. Exotic carp based aquaculture technology for mid-hill regions