MUMBAI : Sagar Parikrama is a revolutionary journey across the nation's coastal belt to demonstrate solidarity with fisherfolk and other stakeholders.
This initiative of the Government of India,hopes to resolve the issues of the fishing community and facilitate their economic upliftment through such programs as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada scheme which entails
development of fishing villages, and upgradation and creation of infrastructure ( like fishing harbours and landing centres ) to ensure sustainable livelihoods.
Sagar Parikrama program is being celebrated in all coastal States/UTs through a pre-decided sea route from Gujarat, Diu, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar, and Lakshadweep Islands to facilitate interaction with fisher communities and stakeholders in these locations in order to better know the problems of the fishing communities in order to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Maharashtra alone has 720 Km of coastline stretching along Greater Mumbai ,Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. Fisherfolk, vendors, and industries here have a direct stake in the development of the fisheries sector in terms of economic value, especially exports.
Healthy oceans and seas are essential to human existence and life on earth. They cover 70 percent of the planet and provide food, energy and water which accrue in interconnected development issues such as livelihood, climate change, commerce, and security. The ocean plays a major role in mitigating climate change and improving its impacts.It goes without saying that the Indian Ocean is vital to the economies, security, and livelihoods of India's coastal states.
With regard to Sagar Parikrama phase 3, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, and National Fisheries Development Board along with the Department of Fisheries, Government of Gujarat , Commissioner of Fisheries, Government of Maharashtra, Indian Coast Guard, Fishery Survey of India, Gujarat Maritime Board and fishermen representatives will take part in related events. Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary (Fisheries), Government of India; and senior officials from the Department of Fisheries, as well as the National Fisheries Development Board, Govt of Gujarat, and Govt of Maharashtra, the Fishery Survey of India, and Indian Coast Guard will also be in attendance.
During the event, certificates/sanctions related to the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada scheme, KCC & State Scheme will be awarded to coastal fisherfolk, fish farmers, and entrepreneurs among others.
“Sagar Parikrama” started on the theme of “KRANTI se SHANTI” as Phase-I on the 5th of March last year from Mandvi, Gujarat (at the Memorial of Shyamji Krishna Varma) to Okha-Dwarka, and concluded at Porbandar on 6th March 2022 covering 3 locations. More than 5000 people attended the event, which was live-streamed on YouTube, and Facebook.
The journey continued as Phase-II program from 23rd to 25th September 2022 and covered 7 locations: Mangrol, Veraval, Diu, Jafrabad, Surat, Daman & Valsad.A song on Sagar Parikrama in Gujarati sung by the renowned Shankar Mahadevan was a highlight of the program which was attended by more
than 20,000 people and also live streamed on YouTube and Facebook.
As regards Maharashtra in the third phase, officers from Department of Fisheries, GoI comprising Dr. Niyati Joshi, Mr Nikhil Kumar , Mr Sagar Kuveskar, and Dr. Sandeep P. Jadhav from Government of Maharashtra held a camp meeting cum awareness program at Vasai on 16th February 2023 and a
campaign for Mumbai at Sassoon Dock, Mumbai.
India has a coastline of 8118 km, covering 9 maritime States & four Union Territories and providing livelihood support to 2.8 million coastal fisher folk. India contributes 8% of the global share of fish production and is ranked the 3rd largest fish producer in the world.
The total fish production of the nation is 162.48 lakh tonnes, of which 121.21 lakh tonnes are from inland and 41.27 lakh tonnes from marine. The value of fisheries exports stood at INR 57,586.48 crores.
fishermen representatives.