Sagar Parikrama

Why is in news? Department of Fisheries launches ‘Sagar Parikrama’ program on occasion of 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of Indiahas launched the ‘Sagar Parikrama’ program on occasion of 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Sagar Parikrama program is being organized through a pre-decided sea route covering coastal states/UTs.

The fishermen, fisher communities and stakeholders in the coastal areas are likely to be benefitted with awareness of various beneficiary oriented schemes and programs being implemented by the Government and showcasing them the best practices that may be adopted.

The interaction programs being organized during the ‘Sagar Parikrama’ aims to resolve the issues of the fishers and other stakeholders and to facilitate their economic upliftmentthrough 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 crore in fisheries sector, ‘Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund’ (FIDF) of Rs. 7522.48 crore implemented since 2018-19 to provide concessional finance to eligible entities, and the facility of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) which has been extended for fishers and fish farmers since 2018-19.

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.

The main objectives of ‘Sagar Parikrama’ are:

ito 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;

iidemonstrating solidarity with all fisher folk, fish farmers and concerned stakeholder as a spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat;

iiito 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

ivprotection of marine ecosystems.