Lok Sabha Question No. 2596 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-19
Subject: Sagar Parikrama Yatra Program
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Himadri Singh, Khagen Murmu

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2596 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 th  DECEMBER, 2023

## Sagar Parikrama Yatra Program

## 2596. SHRIMATI HIMADRI SINGH: SHRI KHAGEN MURMU:

## Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्य पालन , पशु पालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) the details regarding Sagar Parikrama Yatra program;
- (b) the manner in which it seeks to establish direct communication channels with fishermen community; and
- (c) the details of the budgetary provisions and the outcomes of this initiative?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a) The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India has launched the 'Sagar Parikrama' program on the occasion of 75 th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Sagar Parikrama program is being organized through a pre-decided sea route to cover visit of all coastal states/UTs in a phased manner. It has been started on 5 th March, 2022 from Mandvi, Gujarat and so far visit of more than 88  locations,  covering  a  coastal  length  of  more  than  6000  km  across  10  coastal states/UTs has been completed. ' Sagar Parikrama' aims to (i) facilitate interaction with fishermen, coastal communities and stakeholders so as to disseminate information of various fisheries related schemes and programs being implemented by the Government, (ii) demonstrating solidarity with all fisher folk, fish farmers  and  concerned stakeholder's as a spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (iii) promote responsible fisheries with focus on sustainable balance between the utilization of marine fisheries resources for food  security  of  nation  and  livelihoods  of  coastal  fisher  communities,  and  (iv) protection of marine ecosystems.
- (b) Sagar Parikrama is an outreach program intended to reach out fishermen community across the entire coastal belt of the country. During the Sagar Parikrama Yatra program visits  of  Union  Minister  for  Fisheries,  Animal  Husbandry  &  Dairying  along  with Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, Fisheries Ministers of concerned coastal States/UTs and Senior Officers of Union and State  Governments are conducted to coastal areas for having direct communication with  the  fishermen  and  coastal  communities.  The  interaction  programs  organized during  the  ' Sagar  Parikrama '  aims  to  resolve  the  issues  of  the  fishers  and  other stakeholders  and  to  facilitate  their  economic  upliftment  through  various  fisheries schemes  and  programs  being  implemented  by  the  Government  of  India,  such  as ' Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana ' (PMMSY), a flagship scheme with highest ever  estimated  investment  of  Rs.20,050  Cr.  in  fisheries  sector,  'Fisheries  and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund' (FIDF) of Rs. 7,522.48 Cr. to provide concessional finance to eligible entities, and the facility of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) which has been extended for fishers and fish farmers. In addition to the schemes and programs of fisheries  sector,  the  ' Sagar Parikrama '  program  envisages  creation  of awareness on various other schemes and programs of the Government of India.
- (c) Budgetary provision of ' Sagar Parikrama ' is Rs. 8.00 Crs. Notably, the initiative of Sagar  Parikrama  has  achieved  extensive  outreach  of  Government  schemes  and programs across the coastal States/UTs through direct interaction, electronic, print, and digital  media  in  7  vernacular  languages.  It  has  facilitated  fishers  &  fish  farmers  to obtain  KCC  cards  and  awareness  related  to  beneficiary  oriented  components  and activities under the PMMSY and other schemes. The initiative has also facilitated visits of the authorities into diverse and remote coastal territories to understand and address the ground-level challenges, emphasizing sustainable practices, technological innovations,  and  inclusive  growth,  fortifying  our  nation's  fisheries  ecosystem.  The outreach  has  also  roped  in  public  representatives,  State  Fisheries  Ministers,  MPs, MLAs, local leaders and other dignitaries, ensuring a holistic understanding of coastal challenges of fishers at grassroots level to hear the issues of fisher folk community and suggestions  for  possible  solutions.  The  program  has  witnessed  the  convergence  of Fisheries Department of Government of India with the State Fisheries Departments, Indian Coast Guard, State Maritime Boards, District Administrations and other key stakeholders  such  as  fishermen,  fisherwomen,  fish  workers,  fish  farmers  and  fish entrepreneurs etc.