Sagar Parikrama Phase VII starts from Madakkara, Kerala today
Sagar Parikrama is a testament to the transformative power of visionary leadership for welfare of fishing community and coastal development. It is an initiative taken by Government of India, with an aim to resolve the issues of the fishers, other stakeholders and 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) and Kisan Credit Card for Fisheries (KCC).
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, and National Fisheries Development Board along with the Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, Government of Puducherry (Union Territory), Government of Lakshadweep (Union Territory), Indian Coast Guard and fishermen representatives is observing the Sagar Parikrama Phase VII which started from today, Madakkara, Kerala and will be proceeding towards coastal regions are like Pallikkara, Bekal, Kanhangadu, Kasaragode, Mahe (Puducherry), Beypore, Chaliyam, Kozhikode, Mattancherry (Kochi), Nattika (Thrissur), Ernakulam, Kvaratti Island, Bangaram, Agatti Island (Lakshadweep).
Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Dr L. Murugan, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri Saji Cheriyan, Minister of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, MP, Kasaragode, Shri Raj Mohan Unnithan, MLA, Kasaragode, Shri N.A Nellikkunnu, President of District Panchayat, Kasaragode, Smt Baby Balakrishnan etc. in the presence of Smt. Suvarna Chandrapparagari, Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board grace the occasion of Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-VII.
Sagar Parikrama is a program reflecting the far-reaching policy and strategy of the Government leading to the direct interaction with fishers and fish farmers and other stakeholders to understand the issues of coastal areas and problems related to fishermen. Sagar Parikrama program during Phase I to Phase VI have brought massive changes in the development strategy of fishermen and have given a deep insight into the understanding the problems of fishermen. Certainly, Sagar Parikrama Phase VII program commenced by Shri Saji Cheriyan, Minister of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, Dr. Suvarna Chandrapparagari, Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board, and other dignitaries at Madakkara fishing harbour. Dr Suvarna Chandrapparagari, CE, NFDB informed about the projects sanctioned such as upgradation of fishing harbour centre and received various applications from beneficiaries to strengthen the fisheries ecosystem. Dignitaries have also visited Mussle Culture site at Pallikara.
Shri Saji Cheriyan, Minister of Fisheries, Smt. Suvarna Chandrapparagari, Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board, and other dignitaries interacted with beneficiaries such as fish farmers, fishermen at various locations such as Madakkara, Pallikkara Fishermen Colony. Many beneficiaries shared their ground level experiences and highlighted their issues like replenishment of brackish water, insurance related issues as well as subjects as well as appraised for the tremendous contribution that KCC and PMMSY scheme has brought in the life of fishermen and fishing community. Further team have also interacted with beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) at Kanhangadu and requested the beneficiaries to come forward and use the benefits of the schemes like PMMSY and KCC for fish farmers and for allied activities. Volunteers have been requested to help in creating awareness of the schemes like PMMSY, KCC so that the beneficiaries can take benefit of the same.
