Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala, along with Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan, is all set to inaugurate Sagar Parikrama Phase-IX today, at Thondi in the Ramnad District of Tamil Nadu. The launch will mark the beginning of an extensive journey covering eight coastal districts in Tamil Nadu, including Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Viluppuram, Chengalpattu, Chennai, and extending to Karaikal and Puducherry.
The primary focus of Sagar Parikrama Phase IX is to establish direct engagement with the fishing communities. Politicians will have interactive sessions with fishermen, facilitating the distribution of certificates and sanctions related to key schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), and State Schemes.
Highlight events during the Parikrama include stage events at Nagapattinam Fishing Harbour (October 7), Poompuhar Fishing Harbour (October 8), and Cuddalore Fishing Harbour (October 8). The dissemination of literature on various schemes, including PMMSY, State schemes, e-shram, FIDF, and KCC, is planned to enhance awareness among the beneficiaries.
Sagar Parikrama, designed as a comprehensive outreach program, aims to connect with fishermen communities along the coastline, understanding their challenges, experiences, and aspirations. This initiative also serves as a platform to create awareness about government schemes and programs available to them.
The participation in Sagar Parikrama Phase –IX extends beyond political figures, including officials from the Fisheries Department Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, District officials, Senior officials from the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, National Fisheries Development Board, National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training, Fishery Survey of India, Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical & Engineering Training, and the Indian Coast Guard.
Various stakeholders, ranging from fishers and fishermen representatives to fish farmers, entrepreneurs, fishermen cooperative society leaders, professionals, and scientists, are expected to actively engage in the events and interactions during the journey from Thondi, Ramnad District of Tamil Nadu, to Chennai, traversing other districts and culminating in Puducherry.
This initiative builds upon the success of the first eight segments of Sagar Parikrama, which covered 4,115 kilometres across eight coastal states and union territories. The government’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the fishing community and fostering economic upliftment through schemes like Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is evident in this progressive initiative. Sagar Parikrama remains a crucial platform for disseminating information about these schemes, promoting responsible fisheries practices, and safeguarding marine ecosystems.
