Lok Sabha Question No. 331 (STARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Coastal Erosion in Kerala
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Benny Behanan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION No. *331 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## Coastal Erosion in Kerala

## *331: Shri Benny Behanan:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of the increasing coastal erosion in Kerala and its impact on fishing communities, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether any central assistance or rehabilitation package has been sanctioned for displaced fisherfolk during the last five years; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a)  to (c):  A Statement is placed on the Table of the House.

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## Statement referred to in reply to the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *331 put in by Shri  Benny  Behanan,  Member  of  Parliament  for  answer  on  12 th   August,  2025 regarding Coastal Erosion in Kerala

(a) to (c): Some stretches of India's shoreline are subject to varying degree of erosion due to natural causes or anthropogenic activities. The coastal erosion does affect the coastal communities residing in the erosion prone areas including fishermen communities.  The matter on coastal erosion and resettlement of displaced people affected by erosion does not come under the ambit of the Department of Fisheries, Government of India.

The Department of Fisheries, Government of India,  under its flagship  scheme Pradhan Mantri  Matysa  Sampada  Yojana  (PMMSY)  envisaged  various  activities  for  overall development of fisheries and socio-economic wellbeing of fishers and fish farmers including support for creation of livelihood opportunities such as replacement of boats and nets to traditional  fishermen,  up-gradation  of  existing  fishing  vessels  for  export  competency, acquisition  of  deep-sea  fishing  vessels,  alternative/additional  livelihood  activities  like seaweed  culture  &  bivalve  culture,  cage  culture,  ornamental  units,  training  &  skill development,  support towards  cold-chain  and  marketing  facilities  like  fish  markets,  fish kiosk etc. Besides, in order to ensure safety of fishers, support under PMMSY is provided for communication/tracking devices, sea-safety kits, livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward and active traditional fisher's families during fish ban/lean periods, Group Accident Insurance to fishers etc. In addition, the Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen  Villages  (CRCFV)  initiative  of  PMMSY inter-alia envisages  shore  protection works like short groyne or any technologically advance structures as one of the facilities for development along with other activities on need basis. During last 5 years (2020-21 to 202425) under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the DoF, GoI has approved fisheries  developmental  proposals  of  Government  of  Kerala  amounting  to  Rs.  1347.55 crore.

The PMMSY also provides support for development of fisheries infrastructure including construction/expansion  of  fishing  harbours  and  fish  landing  centres,  which inter-alia comprise development of need based waterside and landside facilities like breakwaters, training  walls  and  groynes  primarily  to  create  shelter  and  tranquil  basin  for  smooth operations of fishery activities, protect the lives and assets of fishermen during the rough weather and natural calamities. The Department of Fisheries, Government of India under PMMSY has  so  far  accorded  approvals  to  12  numbers  of  fishing  harbour/fish  landing centres projects in State of Kerala with a total project cost of Rs.507.28 crore. Approval has also  been  accorded  to  another  proposal  of  Government  of  Kerala  for  development  of Arthungal Fishing Harbour at a total cost of Rs 161 crore under Fisheries & Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).

Further, as on date 10,291 Nos of Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) have been sanctioned to the fishers beneficiaries in Kerala.

The  Government  of  Kerala  has  reported  about  the  coastal  stretches  prone  to  coastal erosion in  various  places  in  Kerala.  On  the  basis  of  the  report,  the  National  Centre  for Coastal Research (under Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India) has taken up a detailed study of area prone to coastal erosion for identifying suitable protection method. It is further reported that, keeping in view of the recurring sea attack incidents in the above areas, the Government of Kerala has already taken up various protection works such as reformation  of  damaged  seawall  at  vulnerable  reaches,  maintenance  works  of  coastal seawalls, coastal protection works and protection works to houses using geobags.

As reported by the Ministry of Home Affairs, in order to mitigate the risk of erosion, the 15 th Finance  Commission  had  recommended  an  allocation  of  Rs.1,500  crore  from  National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) for the award period 2021-22 to 2025-26 and Rs.1000 crore from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for resettlement of displaced people affected by erosion. The relief for Damaged House/ Huts is provided under NDRF/SDRF on account of disaster as per MHA OM No. 33-03/2020-NDM-I (Vol-II) dated 10th October, 2022 and fisheries sector is also included thereunder.

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