Hyderabad, May 27, 2024 In a significant step towards empowering coastal communities, Reliance Foundation and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration aims to leverage ocean data to enhance climate resilience and disaster mitigation efforts, according to a statement from Reliance Foundation.
The MoU signing event took place at INCOIS, Hyderabad, and saw the participation of Dr. Srinivasa Kumar, Director of INCOIS, and Jagannatha Kumar, CEO of Reliance Foundation, among other notable attendees. The agreement marks the beginning of a concerted effort to provide vital information and support to coastal inhabitants, particularly those involved in marine fishing.
Reliance Foundation has been actively engaging with communities nationwide for over a decade. The new partnership aims to extend its reach to nearly 25 percent of India’s active marine fisherperson families, focusing on eight states. “For marine fisherpersons, Reliance Foundation translates complex scientific information into locally relevant advisories, offering life-saving information and identifying fishing zones,” the statement highlighted. The foundation also supports women in accessing schemes to boost returns from fish production and other high-value fishing activities.
The collaboration will involve a multifaceted approach, including:
- Translating scientific data into actionable plans for community resilience.
- Utilizing ocean data for predictive impact analysis, such as forecasting the effects of rising sea temperatures on fish catch.
- Developing alternative livelihood strategies.
- Creating science-driven policies and community measures for resilience.
- Developing educational materials on ocean literacy and safety for coastal youth.
- Bridging the gap between research and practical applications for climate resilience.
- Promoting sustainable practices in the blue economy by linking INCOIS’s multi-hazard vulnerability maps with resilience activities.
- Implementing the “Tsunami Ready Villages” program to safeguard coastal communities from tsunamis.
The partnership signifies a robust effort to enhance the resilience of coastal communities against climate change and natural disasters, ensuring a safer and more sustainable future for those reliant on marine resources.
Source: The Print ANI
