Lok Sabha Question No. 3801 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: CRCFV and PMMSY in West Bengal
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Ms Sayani Ghosh

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3801 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 th  AUGUST, 2025

## CRCFV and PMMSY in West Bengal

## 3801. Ms Sayani Ghosh:

## Will the MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be

pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of recent studies indicating that rising salinity and temperature in the Sundarbans estuarine region are adversely affecting fish reproduction, if so, the details thereof and the number of coastal villages affected across West Bengal;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to support climate-resilient aquaculture practices in coastal areas of West Bengal;
- (c) the total number of Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) selected on the West Bengal coastline under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), along with the funds allocated and released to the State; and
- (d)  whether  the  Ministry  of  Fisheries,  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying  is  working  in coordination with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to incorporate fish biodiversity concerns into coastal climate adaptation plans, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)

(a)  & (b) There is no specific report received in the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying regarding rising salinity and temperature in the Sundarbans estuarine region affecting fish reproduction. The fisheries research institutes under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Government of India has  been  conducting  research  regularly  to  understand  the  interactions  between  climatic parameters and fisheries to develop mitigation and adaptation strategies. The ICAR has informed  that  the  studies  under  the  National  Innovation  in  Climate  Resilient  Agriculture (NICRA) indicates the climate change is affecting the fisheries with impacts on fish habitats, including the Sundarbans, physiology of fishes, fish distribution and breeding cycles.

To  promote  sustainable  fisheries  amid  climate  challenges,  the  Department  of  Fisheries under PMMSY is promoting climate resilient livelihood activities like aquaculture. Under the component, Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFVs). 100 coastal fishermen villages  located  near  India's  coastline  are  identified  for  development  as  climate  resilient coastal fishermen villages aimed at making these villages economically vibrant and resilient to climate change, thereby improving the lives of the fishermen and their communities. ICAR has assessed coastal aquaculture vulnerability in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal through stakeholder engagement and advocates adoption of strategies that include farming salinitytolerant fishes for aquaculture and other aquaculture management practices. Additionally, the National Surveillance Programme on Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD), implemented by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India in collaboration with ICAR institutions across  the  country,  aims  to  address  disease  risks  in  aquaculture  systems  including  the climate-induced diseases.

(c) & (d) The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying in  consultation  with  the  Government  of West  Bengal has  identified  five  coastal  fishermen villages  in  West  Bengal  namely  (i)  Akshayanagar,  (ii)  Madanganj,  (iii)  Dera,  (iv)  Dakshin Kadua and (v) Tamliporiya - Purba Mukundapur (Maa Nayekali Matsya Khoti) for development as CRCFV. The development of CRCFV has been taken up under the Central Sector Scheme Component of PMMSY with a unit cost of Rs 200 lakh per fishing village, and the entire cost (100%) is met by the Government of India. Accordingly, Rs 10 crores is allocated to West Bengal for the five villages and the detailed project reports (DPR) are to be received from the State for fund release.

Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, is a member of the National Steering Committee on Climate Change (NSCCC) constituted by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. This committee is involved in the process of approving the State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs), which are integral  to  the  National  Action  Plan  on  Climate  Change  (NAPCC)  adaptation  strategies, including those related to water and coastal zones.

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