Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Shri Parshottam Rupala led the Sagar Parikrama Phase-XII on its second day at Kakdwip Research Center of Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), south parganas district of West Bengal. West Bengal. Smt. Neetu Kumari Prasad Joint Secretary, DoF, Dr L.N Murthy, Chief Executive, officials from Govt of West Bengal and other esteemed public authorities were also present on the occasion.
Union Minister visited and inspected the techno-economically viable and sustainable culture systems for finfish and shellfish in brackishwater. Further, he discussed about the technologies for important aquaculture drivers, such as seed production and farming of diversified species, indigenous feeds and talked in detail on the issues related to technology for fish hatcheries and creation of food for better life of the fish. Technical officers from CIBA informed that they are also making research on several types of fish like hilsa, Bengal bream etc. and practicing in scaling up the technology support for the development of sustainable brackishwater aquaculture, which would provide much needed food, nutritional security etc.
With the completion of the Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-XII on its second day at Kakdwip Research Center of Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), West Bengal which holds special place in this incredible journey, this yatra reachs the milestone of approx. 114 locations, with total 12 phases. Sagar Parikrama stages motivated and produced an impactful effort to address fishermen’s concerns, challenges and encouraged them to take use of various schemes such as PMMSY and KCC for their betterment starting from its first to twelfth phase of the Yatra.
The journey of “Sagar Parikrama” was started with the theme of “KRANTI se SHANTI” as Phase-I on 5th March 2022 from Mandvi, Gujarat (Memorial of Shyamji Krishna Varma) to Okha-Dwarka and completed at Porbandar on 6th March 2022. The journey continued as Phase-II program started from 23rd to 25th September 2022. The program covered various locations like Mangrol- Junagadh, Veraval-Gir Somnath, Mul-Dwarka, Junagadh, Madhwad-Junagad, Siyalbet- Jafrabad, Amreli-Pipavav, Rajula-Amreli, Hazira-Surat, Bhatlai (Coryasi)- Surat, Dhodiyavad- Valsad, Umbergaon- Valsad, Vanakbara Fishing Jetty- Diu, Ghogla Fishing village- Diu, Moti/Nani- Daman.
Shri Parshottam Rupala started the Sagar Parikrama Phase-III from Hazira Port, Gujarat, and proceeded towards the coastal line of Maharashtra at Satpati, Vasai, Versova, New Ferry Wharf (Bhaucha Dhakka) and Parikrama ended at Sasson Dock, Mumbai. Phase IV Program of ‘Sagar Parikrama’ started from 19th Feb 2023 from Surat, Gujarat, and ended on 21st Feb 2023 at Sasson Dock, Mumbai. Phase-IV ‘Sagar Parikrama’ began from Mormugao Port Goa on 17th March 23 to Karwar Port on 18th March 23, proceeded towards Majali, followed by journey towards coastal belt of Uttar Kannada of Karnataka State, Covered the coastal areas of northern Kannada namely, Belambara, Manki, Murudeshwar, Alvekodi, Malpe, Uchhila, Mangalore and other areas of Kannada during 18th-19th March 2023.
Sagar Parikrama Phase V started from 17th May 2023 from Gateway of India, Mumbai and proceeded towards coastal regions are like Gateway of India, Karanja (Raigad Dist.), Mirkarwada (Ratnagiri Dist.), Vasco, Mormugaon, Veldur-Dabhol, Mirya Village-Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg District, Vasco Fishing Jetty, Baina Village and ended on 18th May 2023 at Rajbag- Canacona (South Goa).The Phase VI programme of Sagar Parikrama was organized at Panighat Fish Landing Centre – Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the Union Territory of India, held on 29th May 2023.
Taking forward, Sagar Parikrama Phase-VII covered the coastal areas of Kerala including visits of locations like Mangalore, Kasargode, Madakkara, Pallikkara, Chalium, Kanhangadu, Kozhikode, Mahe (Puducherry), Beypore, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kochi, Alleppey,Thiruvananthapuram during 8th June 2023 to 12th June 2023.
Phase – VIII of Sagar Parikrama which started from 30th Aug 2023 and ended on 2nd Sep 2023, covered coastal districts are like Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu followed by the different locations (Thengapattinam Fishing Harbour,Thoothoor Fishing Village, Vallavilai Fishing Village, Kurumpanai Fishing Village, Vaniyakudi Fishing Village, Colachel Fishing Harbour, Muttom Fishing Harbour, Vivekananda Rock, Uvari Fishing Village, Veerapandian pattinam Fishing Jetty, Thoothukudi Fishing Harbour, Tharuvaikulam Fishing Harbour, Mookaiyur Fishing Harbour, Rameswaram Fishing Jetty, Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI, Multipurpose Seaweed Park at Valamavur).
Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-IX started from 7th Oct 2023 from Thiruvadanai, Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu covered Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam districts of Tamil Nadu and Karaikal district, Union Territory of Puducherry, touched Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore districts and Puducherry on 8th Oct 2023 and ended on 9th Oct 2023 at Chennai by covering coastal regions of Tamil Nadu like Thiruvadanai,Thondi, Jegathapattinam Fish Landing centre, Mallipattinam Fishing Harbour, Adirampattinam Fish Landing Centre, Seruthur Fishing Village, Nagapattinam Fishing Harbour, Karaikal Fish Landing Centre, Tharangambadi Fish Landing Centre, Poompuhar Fishing Harbour, Cuddalore Fishing Harbour, Anumandai Fish Landing Centre, Pudupattinam Fish Landing Centre, Mamallapuram Kuppam FLC, Thiruvottiyur Kuppam and Chennai Fishing Harbour.
Whereas Phase-X covered various coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh such as Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Konasema, Kakinada Union Territory of Puducherry, Yanam, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram & Srikakulam during 1st Jan 2024 to 6th Jan 2024 followed by various locations like VRC Ground, Nellore, Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour, Kothapatanam, Vodarevu, Nizampatanam Fishing Harbour, Gilakaladindi Fishermen Village, Machilipatnam, Bhimavaram, Antarvedipalem, Yanam- Puducherry, Kakinada Fishing Harbour, Meeting with Hatchery Operator and Feed Industry at GRT Grand Hotel, Uppada Fishing Harbour, Visakhapatanam Fishing Harbour.
Union Minister continued the Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-XI during 7th January 2024 to 9th January 2024 with an aim to facilitate interaction with fishermen, coastal communities, and stakeholders to disseminate information of various fisheries related schemes and programs being implemented by the Government, covered various coastal districts of Odisha such as Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsingpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore and covered various locations are like Arjipalli, Nari Fishing village, Baligaon Fishing Village, Satpada, Penthakata, Paradeep Fishing Village, Kharanasi FLC, Dhamra FH, Chudamani, Chandipur FH.
After the completion of eleven phases, Sagar Parikrama Yatra covered the coastal regions of West Bengal namely Digha, Shankarpur Fishing Harbour, Ganga Sagar, Kakdwip Research Center of Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) in its 12th Phase.
Shri Parshottam Rupala along with Minister of State Dr. L Murugan in the presence of other esteemed dignitaries led the Sagar Parikrama throughout all the twelve phases.
Shri Rupala interacted with beneficiaries and felicitated them with Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and benefitted with other assets such as two-wheeler with ice box, four-wheeler with ice box etc. under PMMSY scheme. Beneficiaries from each and every coastal State/UTs actively participated in all phases of Sagar Parikrama Yatra. The yatra observed various review sessions, on-ground interactions and pre-saturation campaigns for KCC and other events.
The activities of Sagar Parikrama were attended by State/UTs fisheries officials, fishermen representatives, fish farmers, entrepreneurs, leaders of fishermen cooperative societies, professionals, scientists, and other stakeholders from all around the nation. Best practices and initiatives taken through Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme, KCC, and other schemes were widely disseminated to fishermen.
Sagar Parikrama improved people’s quality of life and economic well-being by acknowledging their challenges and provided a good opportunity for fishermen to interact with government officials right on their doorstep. It has made an enormous impact in assisting fishermen and fish farmers in resolving their concerns and facilitating their economic upliftment through various fisheries schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Kisan Credit Card (KCC), and other programs conducted by the Government of India.
Overall, 12 phases of Sagar Parikrama Yatra have brought massive changes in the development strategy of fishermen. Sagar Parikrama program is being welcomed by fishermen and fish farmers with open heart and they have seen this as an instrument of their development. Therefore, the impact of this Sagar Parikrama on the livelihood and holistic development of fishermen and fisher folk, including climate change and sustainable development, was influential. The Sagar Parikrama Yatra program was held across the coastal route indifferent phases of approx. 114 locations, wherein, interactions were held with fishermen and related fisheries stakeholders at their doorstep
***
SK/SS/SM
