ICAR-CIFRI at 79: Shaping the Future of Fisheries Science.

ICAR – Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore celebrated their 79^th Foundation Day today i.e., 17^th. March, 2025 commemorating the overall achievements in enhancing Inland Fish Production, thereby ensuring food and nutritional security, employment generation and livelihood to crores of people. The sustainable contribution of ICAR – CIFRI towards the food basket of the country by replenishing fish from rivers, estuaries, reservoirs, wetlands, canals, and other inland aquatic ecosystems, while consolidating the engagement of 23+ Crore people along the value chain.

The 79th Foundation Day celebration of ICAR-CIFRI was marked by a significant environmental initiative — a river ranching in the sacred river Ganga. The program commenced with the release of 1,20,000 fish fingerlings (Rohu, Katla, Mrigal and Bata) into the Ganga River, symbolising a commitment to ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation under NMCG program

His highness – Shrimath Swami Shivapurnananda Ji Maharaj from Belur graced the occasion, adding spiritual significance to the event. His presence luminated the harmony between environmental stewardship and spiritual values.

Dr. B. K. Das, Director of the institute has led the initiative to replenish the fish population, particularly indigenous species, and restore the ecological balance of the Ganga River. The Foundation Day celebrations demonstrated to be a combination of tradition, spirituality and environmental responsibility, making it a memorable and impactful event. In recognition of the accomplishments, the Chief Guest of the event Swami Shivapurnanandaji Maharaj expressed his privilege in congratulating the staff of CIFRI for the comprehensive approach that the Institute has undertaken in the uplift of rural poor through research and development programmes.

The Director, ICAR – CIFRI, Dr. B. K. Das, narrated about the role and contribution of the Institute in the implementation of science-based fisheries practices, and how the inland capture fisheries have undergone a significant transformation and now contributes around 20 lakh tons accounting to 12.5% of the total fish production in the country.

The Guests of Honour on the Foundation Day were Prof. Vibha Tandon, Director, CSIR – IICB, Kolkata, Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan, Former Director, ICAR – CMFRI, Kochi; Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ATARI, Kolkata.

Prof. Vibha Tandon praised the commendable achievements of ICAR – CIFRI in the path towards ushering prosperity in the fisheries sector of India. The celebration was attended by the staff and research scholars of ICAR-CIFRI, fish farmers and entrepreneurs in fisheries sector, marking another milestone in the Institute’s journey of excellence.

Team Maverick.