Parshottam Rupala release Book on Sagar Parikrama at Rajkot, Gujarat

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala, release a book and video titled “Sagar Parikrama” at the Engineering Association in Rajkot, Gujarat. The event graced by the presence of the Union Minister for States of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Dr. L. Murugan, and other dignitaries.

Chronicling the Sagar Parikrama Yatra

The book aims to chronicle the Sagar Parikrama Yatra, encompassing diverse elements such as the maritime route, cultural and geographical explorations, and notable impacts from all 12 phases of the journey. It contains seven chapters covering the genesis of Sagar Parikrama, an overview of the journey along the West and East coasts, and key takeaways.

The book provides insights into the challenges faced by coastal fishermen, their culture, religious and traditional fisheries heritage of India. Additionally, a video documentary captures all activities, events, and interactions of the Union Minister with beneficiaries, showcasing the challenges encountered during the Sagar Parikrama.

Objectives of Sagar Parikrama

Sagar Parikrama aims to:

Reach fishermen at their doorsteps to understand their issues and resolve grievances.
Inform pragmatic government policy decisions.
Promote sustainable fishing practices.
Publicize various government schemes and programs.

India’s Fisheries Sector: A Sunrise Industry

The fisheries sector is considered a sunrise industry with immense potential for bringing equitable and inclusive growth through economic empowerment of the weaker sections of society. With an 8% share in global fish production, India is the third-largest fish producer, second-largest aquaculture producer, largest shrimp producer, and fourth-largest top seafood exporter in the world.

Sagar Parikrama Yatra: A Historical Journey

The Sagar Parikrama Yatra spanned over 12 captivating phases in just 44 days, covering an impressive coastal length of 7,986 kilometers out of 8,118 kilometers. The journey touched 3,071 fishing villages across 80 coastal districts of all coastal states and union territories, spanning from Mandvi, Gujarat, to Ganga Sagar, West Bengal, including the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

During the 12 phases, Union Minister Shri Parshottam Rupala, along with Dr. L. Murugan and other dignitaries, interacted with beneficiaries such as fishermen, fisherwomen, fish farmers, and stakeholders. Beneficiaries were felicitated with Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and other assets under the PMMSY scheme.

Impact and Legacy

Sagar Parikrama has made a significant impact in assisting fishermen and fish farmers by acknowledging their challenges and providing an opportunity to interact with government officials on their doorsteps. It has facilitated economic upliftment through various fisheries schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Kisan Credit Card (KCC), and other programs.

Overall, the 12 phases of Sagar Parikrama Yatra have brought about massive changes in the development strategy for fishermen, influencing their livelihood, holistic development, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development practices.

The book and video release aim to preserve the legacy of this monumental journey, highlighting the government’s commitment to empowering coastal communities and promoting the growth of India’s fisheries sector.