Wednesday, 09 Oct, 2024
By: Yash Gupte
The state of Karnataka has 5.74 lakh ha of freshwater sources, including 3.02 lakh ha of ponds and tanks, 2.72 lakh ha of reservoirs, and 8,000 hectares of brackish water resources. It also has 320 km of coastline and a 27,000 sq km continental shelf. Image Source: IANS
The phase IV of the Sagar Parikrama beginning from the district of Uttar Kannada on March 18, 2023 will end the next day on March 19 in the Dakshin Kannada, covering 10 locations in three coastal districts.
The phase-IV of the Sagar Parikrama will be launched by Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in Karnataka for two days covering the stretch of Uttar Kannada on March 18, 2023 and on March 19, 2023 Udupi followed by Dakshan Kannada. During the event, certificates/sanctions related to Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada scheme, KCC & State Scheme shall be awarded to the progressive fishermen. The first phase of Sagar Parikrama was launched in Gujarat on March 5, 2022 from Mandvi and ended on March 6, 2022 at Porbandar. Phase –II programme started on September 22, 2022 from Mangrol to Veraval and ended at Mul Dwaraka on September 23, 2022 from Mul Dwaraka to Madhwad. Phase III Program of ‘Sagar Parikrama’ started on February 19, 2023 from Surat, Gujarat, and will end on Feb 21, 2023 at Sasson Dock, Mumbai. The phase IV of the Sagar Parikrama beginning from the district of Uttar Kannada on March 18, 2023 will end the next day on March 19 in the Dakshin Kannada, covering 10 locations in three coastal districts.
The primary goals of "Sagar Parikrama" are (i) to facilitate interaction with fishermen, coastal communities, and stakeholders in order to disseminate information about the various fisheries-related schemes and programmes being implemented by the Government; (ii) to show solidarity with all fishermen, fish farmers, and concerned stakeholders in accordance with the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat; and (iii) to promote responsible fisheries with a focus on sustainable balance between the utilisation of marine fisheries resources for food security of nation and livelihoods of coastal fisher communities and (iv) protection of marine ecosystems.
The state of Karnataka has 5.74 lakh ha of freshwater sources, including 3.02 lakh ha of ponds and tanks, 2.72 lakh ha of reservoirs, and 8,000 hectares of brackish water resources. It also has 320 km of coastline and a 27,000 sq km continental shelf. Dakshina Kannada alone accounts for 40 percent of the total catch in Karnataka's coastal districts, followed by Uttara Kannada (31 percent) and Udupi (29 percent). The principal contributors in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, respectively, are the fishing ports of Mangaluru and Malpe. 9.84 lakh fishers and 729 fishermen cooperative organisations operate in the state (132- marine and 597- inland).
The central government has been maximizing its effort to boost the blue economy and provide new opportunities to the fishermen along the coast. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is a scheme launched by the central government for focused and sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the country as a part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Recently, Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying in a written reply in Rajya Sabha said that the PMMSY provides insurance coverage to fishers which includes fish workers, fish farmers and any other categories of persons directly involved in fishing and fisheries related allied activities. With a budget of Rs 20,050 crores for a period of five years, PMMSY aims to achieve fish production of 22 million metric tons (MMT) from the current 13.76 MMT by 2024-25 and to create additional employment opportunities for about 55 lakh people.
PMMSY has been approved at the total estimated investment of Rs.20,050 crores comprising of central share of Rs.9,407 crores, state share of Rs.4,880 crores and beneficiaries contribution of Rs.5,763 crores. The table below shows the significant achievements made under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
The achievements made under the PMMSY shows that the Department of Fisheries is not only focusing on increasing the fish production in the country but also on other important activities related to fishing. One of the most important aspect of the scheme is the focus on seaweed cultivation. Apart from improvement in seaweed cultivation, the scheme has also proved beneficial for improvement in the fishing infrastructure.
The chart below shows the funds released to the states under the PMMSY from 2020-2022.
Andhra Pradesh has the highest total project cost under the PMMSY at Rs 77,436 lakhs followed by Uttar Pradesh at Rs 59,413 lakhs. Andhra Pradesh has also received the highest funds by the central government under the PMMSY. The state has received a sum of Rs 18,659 lakhs from 2020-2022, followed by Karnataka (Rs 16,162 lakhs). Sikkim and Punjab have received lowest funds under the scheme. The total project cost in Punjab is Rs 5,984 lakhs and the share of central government is Rs 2,064 lakhs. Out of the central government’s share of Rs 2,064 lakhs, Punjab has received only Rs 567 lakhs in last two years. Other states also narrate a similar tale in terms of allocation of funds.
The central government must concentrate on the allocation of funds and the timely release of funds to the states in order to achieve the target of 22 MMT fish production by 2024-25. The scheme aims to bring a revolution in the fishing sector in the country by providing direct and indirect employment opportunities and by focusing on the sustainable modernisation of fishing infrastructure but at the same time, central government must ensure timely allocation of funds to the states and generation of employment opportunities.
The nation's 8,118 km of coastline, which spans 9 coastal States and 4 Union Territories, supports the livelihoods of 2.8 million fishermen. India, which is recognised as the third-largest fish producer in the world, produces 8 percent of the global share of fish production. The nation produces 162.48 lakh tonnes of fish altogether, of which 121.21 lakh tonnes come from inland sources and 41.27 lakh tonnes come from marine sources. In 2021–2022, the value of fisheries exports was Rs 57,586.48 crores.
Sagar Parikrama and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, well-structured schemes if implemented efficiently by the cooperative efforts of the central government and state governments will surely provide a boost to the fishing sector and transform country’s blue economy.
