Mukteshwar is a small town located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, India. It is situated in the Kumaon hills at an altitude of 7500 feet or 2286 meters. The town is located 51 km from Nainital and 395 km from Delhi. The town is rich in picturesque beauty with splendid vistas of the Indian Himalayas. It is a deep wooded area offering spectacular views of snow capped peaks. Apart from the famous Shiva temple, the main attraction of the region is IVRI where wildlife can be found in abundance.

History of IVRI:

The Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory was set up in Pune on December 9, 1889 on the suggestion of the Cattle Plague Commission. The Institute was later transferred to Mukteshwar in 1893 to facilitate isolation and quarantine of highly infectious organisms. Soon after, it was developed into the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI). Subsequently, to extend the activities of the Institute, a new institution was established at Izatnagar, Bareilly (U.P) in 1913. Mukteshwar still serves as the hill campus of IVRI.

Robert Koch, the noted noble winner scientist visited this place on request of then GOI. The microscopes used by him and other articles are kept in the museum maintained by IVRI. At present, there are 21 centers throughout India which are engaged in research in the field of animal health, production and technology.

About IVRI, Mukteshwar:

Indian Veterinary Research Institute is one of the leading research institutes committed to livestock research including poultry. The campus of IVRI, Mukteshwar is spread over 3450 acres of land and the main sections are- the Department of Virology and the Livestock Production Research Centre. It also has Bacteriology, Pathology, Parasitological and Animal husbandry divisions.

The Virology Division carries out fundamental, adaptive and practical research on common viral diseases of animals and has been able to attain world fame in research and development of viral vaccines. Virology Division is investigating important animal viruses such as morbilli viruses, pox viruses and entero respiratory viruses. The approach is to develop biological procedures which can be used for identification, impediment, therapy and control of many devastating diseases of livestock. A new laboratory for virus typing- The Central Typing laboratory is being set up at the campus as a part of International Centre of FMD virus typing.

The Livestock Products Research Centre follows a line of investigation on cattle production under moderate circumstances and enhancement of goats which are economically important to human beings. The campus also has a library and a museum sustained by IVRI. One can access books on science related subjects from its vast collection. The museum conserves and maintains the legacy and principles of Indian Veterinary Research Institute.

The present day development of Mukteshwar is due to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute where various animal researches are conducted. IVRI possesses a large forest area in and around Mukteshwar. Infact, most of the Mukteshwar is IVRI campus and this is the only place where one can find a petrol pump in entire Mukteshwar.

IVRI, Mukteshwar has always enjoyed a certain reputation because of its achievements & celebrated technical bequest.