New Delhi: The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India launched the ‘Sagar Parikrama’ program on the occasion of 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The Sagar Parikrama program is organized through a pre-determined sea route covering coastal states and UTs.
The Department of Fisheries under the Chairmanship of Shri Parshottam Rupala, Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D), Government of India organized a planning meeting for Phase III of ‘Sagar Parikrama’ in New Delhi. The program was attended by JS (Marine Fisheries), DoF GoI, welcomed all the participants and set the agenda of the meeting, while the Secretary, DoF GoI summarized the last two programs and emphasized that key activities like completion and modernization of ports, promotion among fishing communities should be supported by artificial reefs.
Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister, MFAH&D launched the Marathi version of “Sagar Parikrama Song”. He further thanked all the participants for attending the meeting, shared his thoughts and decided to make the program a success.
Phase III of the ‘Sagar Parikrama’ program is being organized in the state of Maharashtra and the state officials have drawn up a preliminary plan. The location and dates of the program were discussed by the officials according to the weather and other influencing factors. Possible options for meeting venues, site visits, house visits, etc. were discussed. State officials also presented on-site challenges they may have encountered during program preparation for discussion and management guidance.
Further, representatives of fishing communities and BJP were invited to present their points for discussion and deliberation. A few points that were discussed were the state’s request for diesel subsidy for deep-sea fish people to make deep-sea fishing economical, measures in respect of fish caught by neighboring countries during deep-sea fishing, completion of Phase II of Mirkarwada and Anganwadi port, ensure rations and insurance benefits to cover multiple beneficiaries during non-fishing periods.
The meeting is a planning meeting aimed at kick-starting the planning of the event along with understanding the local challenges and expectations of the stakeholders. He advised all the present functionaries and participants that the benefit connection should be the core of the meetings and activities planned during the event.
These interactions are aimed at solving the problems of fishermen and other stakeholders and facilitating their economic recovery through various fisheries schemes and programs implemented by the Government of India such as “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana” (PMMSY), KCC and FIDF. Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying emphasized that while all the programs were important, creating awareness about KCC among fishermen was the key agenda item during his Sagar Parikrama visits and will remain the same.
What is Sagar parikrama program?
“Sagar Parikrama” aims to (i) facilitate interaction with fishermen, coastal communities and stakeholders to spread information about various fisheries related schemes and programs undertaken by the government, (ii) show solidarity with all fishermen, fish farmers and concerned stakeholder’s as the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (iii) promote responsible fisheries with a focus on sustainable balance between the use of marine fisheries resources for the nation’s food security and livelihood of coastal fishing communities and (iv) protection of marine ecosystems. The “Sagar Parikrama” program envisages gradual coverage of Maritime States/UTs.
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