The Sagar Parikrama Phase VII, a joint initiative by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, and the National Fisheries Development Board, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries of the Government of Kerala and Government of Puducherry, the Indian Coast Guard, and fishermen representatives, is currently underway.
The program, which started on June 8th, 2023, aims to cover the entire coastal regions of Kerala, starting from Madakkara and moving through Pallikkara, Bekal, Kanhangadu, Kasaragode, and Mahe (Puducherry), and eventually continuing its journey through Kozhikode and Thrissur.
The second day of the Sagar Parikrama, Phase VII witnessed the commencement of the program by dignitaries, including Parshottam Rupala, the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Dr. L. Murugan, the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, and K Lakshminarayanan, the Minister of Fisheries of the Government of Puducherry.
The event took place in the presence of Dr. Suvarna Chandrapparagari, Chief Executive of the National Fisheries Development Board, Thiru. D. Balaji, Director of Fisheries of the Government of Puducherry, Shivraj Meena, Administrator of the Government of Puducherry, and other public authorities. K Lakshminarayanan, the Minister of Fisheries, expressed gratitude to all the dignitaries and emphasized the initiatives taken by the Government of Puducherry to support the fisherfolk.
During the program, Parshottam Rupala and other dignitaries interacted with beneficiaries, including fishermen, fisherwomen, and fish farmers in Mahe, Puducherry. This interactive session provided a platform for fishermen to share their challenges and issues, which will aid in addressing and improving the fisheries sector. The beneficiaries also expressed their desire for more events like the Sagar Parikrama in the future.
Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, mentioned that his participation in the Sagar Parikrama aims to understand the profession, life, culture, and current state of the fishermen, which will help in formulating effective policies. He expressed his gratitude to everyone for their valuable time and contributions.
Continuing their journey, Parshottam Rupala and other dignitaries visited the Beypore Fishing Harbour, where they interacted with beneficiaries, fish farmers, and fishermen. The interactive session allowed the stakeholders to share their ground realities and experiences, as well as raise their concerns. Parshottam Rupala thanked the participants, including fishermen, fish farmers, beneficiaries, and coast guard officers, for their suggestions to enhance the development of the fisheries sector. He mentioned that the Sagar Parikrama program will continue to cover coastal areas from Gujarat to West Bengal.
The Sagar Parikrama program also included sessions at the Samudra Auditorium, where the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying thanked the fishermen, fisherwomen, fish farmers, and other stakeholders for their participation. The program highlighted various initiatives, such as the development of fish harbors, fish landing centers, biofloc units, and ornamental fish units sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in the district. The welfare of fishermen was emphasized as a crucial factor in maintaining the balance of marine resources and supporting livelihoods in the fisheries sector.
Dr. L. Murugan, the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, addressed the audience regarding the PMMSY scheme and other activities related to the blue revolution. The focus was on increasing fisheries production and productivity, both inland and marine, and associated activities such as infrastructure development, marketing, exports, and institutional arrangements. He also highlighted the promotion of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) and the awareness camps conducted in coastal districts of Kerala to educate fishers and fish farmers about the benefits of KCC registration.
Parshottam Rupala shared valuable insights during the event, stating that the government has made significant investments in the fisheries sector. Since 2014, the government has allocated approximately Rs. 32,000 crore for the development of the sector, with schemes like PMMSY and FIDF. He emphasized the importance of creating awareness among fish farmers for the promotion of KCC.
The program also included the distribution of certificates and sanctions related to the PMMSY scheme, Kisan Credit Cards, and state schemes to progressive fishermen, young fisheries entrepreneurs, women fish farmers, and other beneficiaries. Additionally, certificates and sanctions for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and ice boxes were awarded to beneficiaries, further supporting their livelihoods.
Sreelu N.S, Additional Director of the Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, expressed gratitude to all the dignitaries and participants for their presence. Approximately 4,000 fishermen, various fisheries stakeholders, and scholars attended the physical event, with around 2,500 fisherwomen participating. The program was also live-streamed on various social media platforms, including YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.
