India’s Cold- Water Fisheries and Their Role in the Blue Economy

Context

India’s cold-water fisheries sector is gaining importance within the Blue Economy due to its role in livelihood generation, nutritional security, eco-tourism and sustainable development of hill regions.

About India’s Cold- Water Fisheries

1. Cold-water fisheries are practised in high-altitude snow-fed rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs characterised by low temperatures, high dissolved oxygen and suitable pH conditions.
2. These fisheries are mainly concentrated in Himalayan and hill states such as Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya and Nagaland, along with hill regions of West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
3. Together, these ecosystems extend across more than 5.33 lakh sq. km. of mountainous terrain.
4. India has identified over 278 species of cold-water fish, including rainbow trout, golden mahseer and snow trout.
5. Trout farming is generally carried out above 1,500 metres altitude, whereas mahseer culture is suitable for relatively lower elevations.
6. Production relies on specialised infrastructure such as hatcheries, raceways, Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), biofloc units and cold-chain facilities.

Production Status

1. India’s total fish production reached around 197.75 lakh tonnes during 2024–25.
2. Cold-water fisheries contribute nearly 3% of inland fish production, with national output estimated at about 7,000 metric tonnes.
3. Trout production has grown significantly over the past decade, reaching nearly 6,000 metric tonnes in 2024–25.
4. Jammu & Kashmir is the leading trout-producing region in the country, followed by Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Government Initiatives

1. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), projects worth over ₹5,638 crore have been sanctioned for cold-water states during 2020–26.
2. The Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) has approved projects worth more than ₹7,761 crore for hatcheries, fisheries infrastructure and training centres.
3. The Blue Revolution Scheme (2015–20) promoted scientific trout farming through support for hatcheries, raceways and reservoir stocking.
4. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) supports aquaculture insurance, fisheries startups, microenterprises and value-chain efficiency.
5. The Government has issued Model Guidelines for Cold Water Fisheries Development, 2026 covering hatchery standards, disease management, biosecurity, certification, branding, e-trading and skill development.
6. India is also strengthening cooperation with Norway and Iceland for technology transfer and knowledge exchange in the fisheries sector.