The Ministry for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying has organised a Sagar Parikrama programme as part of the 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava to assess the challenges encountered by fishermen in coastal areas. The Sagar Parikrama programme is proposed to be celebrated in all coastal states/UTs along a pre-determined sea route that runs from Gujarat, Diu, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Sagar Parikrama programme focuses on achieving a sustainable balance between the exploitation of marine fisheries resources for national food security and the livelihoods of coastal fisher communities. The programme aims to safeguard marine ecosystems as well.
The Sagar Parikrama journey began earlier this month, on March 5, in Kutch, Gujarat. The two-day event was organised by the National Fisheries Development Board in collaboration with the Gujarat Department of Fisheries, the Indian Coast Guard, the Fishery Survey of India, the Gujarat Maritime Board, and fisherman representatives. The state of Gujarat had its own significance with the Bardoli Satyagraha. It was a pivotal moment in the Indian Independence Movement’s civil disobedience and uprising. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel eventually headed the movement, and its success led to Patel being one of the most important leaders of the independence movement, particularly when it came to settling farmer difficulties.
Sagar Parikrama
The Government of India aims to use the project to communicate with fishermen, fisher communities, and stakeholders in coastal areas and districts in order to better understand the challenges and issues that they confront. This event will demonstrate the government’s commitment to producing fisheries management plans and reforming the fishing industry. The Government is also trying to implement necessary legal frameworks to enable effective fisheries governance through the programme. The government intends to use the program to look for methods to increase the livelihood of fishermen.
During the Sagar Parikrama programme, progressive fishermen, particularly coastal fishermen, fishers and fish farmers, young fishery entrepreneurs, are being awarded certificates/sanctions connected to the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampadha plan, KCC, and State Scheme. Information on the PMMSY scheme, other state schemes, FIDF, KCC, and other similar programmes are also being provided during the event. The programme will be celebrated in Gujarat’s other districts as well as other states and territories.