Tirunelveli Lok Sabha Member C. Robert Bruce met Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh in New Delhi on Wednesday to advocate for the inclusion of coastal villages in Tirunelveli district under the Union Government’s initiative to develop 100 fishing villages as Climate-Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages.
In his petition to the minister, Mr. Bruce underscored the importance of the fishing sector to the coastal communities in Tirunelveli. He pointed out that a substantial portion of the district comprises coastal areas where thousands of families rely on fishing and related activities as their primary source of livelihood. However, due to limited resources and inadequate support for the sector, many residents have been compelled to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities, particularly to work as fishermen.
Mr. Bruce highlighted the specific needs of villages such as Kootapuli, Perumanal, Idinthakarai, Thomayarpuram, Koonthankuzhi, Uvary, Kootapanai, Kooduthalai, and Georgiapuram, urging the government to prioritize these areas under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). He emphasized that these villages, home to a vibrant fishing community, lack critical infrastructure and support systems to withstand climate challenges and ensure sustainable development.
The MP argued that the inclusion of these villages in the climate-resilient initiative would provide much-needed relief to the local population. “By implementing the scheme in these areas, approximately 8,000 to 10,000 fishermen and their families can benefit from enhanced infrastructure, sustainable livelihood opportunities, and better climate resilience,” Mr. Bruce stated.
He further elaborated that the proposed initiative could address long-standing issues such as insufficient fish landing centers, lack of cold storage facilities, and inadequate support for modern fishing techniques. He also pointed out that empowering these communities with climate-resilient measures would not only improve their living standards but also contribute to the broader goals of sustainable fisheries development and environmental conservation.
The meeting marks a significant step in addressing the challenges faced by coastal fishermen in Tirunelveli. The Union Government’s climate-resilient fishing village scheme, if extended to the district, could bring transformational changes to these communities by integrating them into national development plans and equipping them to face future challenges.
Source: The Hindu
