"Sagar Parikrama" is a transformative journey planned across the coastal belt to show solidarity with the fisher folk, fish farmers, and related stakeholders. Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-IX which started from 7^thOct 2023 from Thiruvadanai, Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu coveredPudukkottai, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam districts, Tamil Nadu and Karaikal district, Union Territory of Puducherry, touched Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore districts and Puducherry on 8^th Oct 2023 and has ended today at Chennai by covering other coastal regions of Tamil Nadu.

First day programme of Sagar Parikrama commenced from 7^th October 2023 led byShri. ParshottamRupala, Hon'ble Union Minister (FAHD), GoI along with Dr L. Murugan, Hon’ble Minister of State (FAHD), and other senior dignitariesvisited locations likeThondi,Jegathapattinam Fish Landing Centre, Mallipattinam Fishing Harbour, Adirampattinam Fish Landing Centre, Seruthur Fishing Village, Nagapattinam Fishing Harbour, Karaikal Fish Landing Centre and interacted with beneficiaries such as fishermen, fisherwomen, fish farmers and other stakeholders. Progressive beneficiaries were felicitated with distribution of Kisan Credit Card (KCC).

Second day programme of Sagar Parikrama, continuedon8^th October 2023 led by Shri. ParshottamRupala, Hon'ble Union Minister (FAHD), GoI along with Dr L.Murugan, Hon’ble Minister of State (FAHD), in the presence of Shri N. Rangasamy, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Puducherry, Dr TamilisaiSoundararajan, Hon’ble Lt. Governor, Puducherry, Shri K. Lakshminarayanan, Hon’ble Minister of Fisheries, Puducherry, & other senior dignitaries visited the locations like Tharangambadi Fish Landing Centre, Poompuhar Fishing Harbour, Cuddalore Fishing Harbour,

Puducherry and interacted with beneficiaries and other stakeholders. Progressive beneficiaries were felicitated with sanction of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and insulated fish vehicles. On the sidelines of the program, Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, IAS, Secretary, GoI visited Athur Fish Seed Rearing Centre, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu today, 8^th October 2023, interacted with fish farmers, observed the inauguration of Projectsand “MatsyaSampadaJagrukta Abhiyan” has undertaken parallelly.

Shri. ParshottamRupala, Hon'ble Union Minister (FAHD), GoI inaugurated the infrastructure projects with total project cost of Rs. 9246.59 (In Lakhs) approved under PMMSY of such as i) Construction of Fish landing Centre at Periyakalapet, ii) Construction of Fish landing center at Nallavadu: iii) Construction/Expansion of existing Fishing Harbour at Veerampattinam.

Third day programmecontinuedon 9^th Oct 2023, Shri. ParshottamRupala, Hon’ble Union Minister (FAHD) GoI, led the third day of Sagar Parikrama Phase- IX in the presence of Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, IAS, Secretary, DoF, GoI, Smt. Neetu Kumari Prasad, Joint Secretary, DoF, GoI, Dr L.N Murthy, Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board GoI, and Fishermen Welfare, Govt. of Tamil Nadu. Sagar Parikrama Yatra visited Anumandai Fish Landing Centre (Villupuram District) andPudupattinam Fish Landing Centre (Chengalpattu District)where, Hon’ble Ministers (FAHD), GoI and dignitaries interacted with fishermen and fish farmers are like i) Sathyamoorthy, ii) Nehru, iii) Kannan and Mani has been felicitated for Cage Culture project.

Hon’ble Union Minister (FAHD), GoI reviewed the improvements and renovations for jetty and discussed about preparations, field work, fish handling with fishermen and fish farmers.During the event, Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, IAS, Secretary, DoF, GoI had an opportunity to interact with fisherwomen.

Also, he informed that pre-Saturation Sagar Parikrama Phase-IX has been conducted for more than 5 days from 30th Oct 2023 to 6th Oct 2023. About 11 districts covering 64 locations in Tamil Nadu coast and 2 districts in Puducherry covering 21 locations campaigning on KCC, PMMSY & FIDF and other outreach activities were carried and approx. 3084 fishermen, fish farmers have participated in the campaign. As a result, KCC applications sanction worth of Rs 531.30 lakhs has been achieved, covering 8 districts from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry benefiting 1599 Numer of fishermen, fish farmers, fisher societies etc.

Sagar Parikrama Phase- IX Yatra MamallapuramKuppam Fish Landing Centre, Hon’ble Ministers and senior dignitaries interacted with beneficiariesand All India Shrimp Hatchery Association (AISHA) members at Mahabalipuram. Further, the beneficiaries were felicitated with KCC like i) Dhanesekar, ii) Karrenakaran, iii) Jayaraman, iv) Shekhar at Mamallapuram. Also, the association members participated and put forward regarding the disease surveillance programin fisheries, world class human resource training for fisheries sector, awareness industry to take up for seeding and breeding of fish. Shri ParshottamRupala, Hon'ble Union Minister (FAHD), GoI thanked the members of the association for discussing the challenges and suggested all to make an effort to be global leader in shrimp production and related products.

Moving forward, Shri. ParshottamRupala, Hon'ble Union Minister (FAHD), GoI took a review meeting with the Department of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry official, Government of Tamil Nadu regarding effective utilization of Government schemes. He suggested the officials to ensure the regular monitoring, evaluation, and reporting mechanisms should be put in place to track progress, identify gaps, and take corrective measures wherever necessary. Thiswill enable to build trust and credibility among the beneficiaries such as fishermen, fish farmers and other stakeholders at large. Further, he visited and reviewed the status of Tuna Fishing Harbour project at Thiruvottiyur, Kuppam, emphasising on various aspects of the projects.

 

The programme continued withan interaction of Hon’ble Ministers and other senior dignitaries with fishermen, fisherwomen, fish farmers etc. at Chennai Fishing Harbour. In addition, Hon’bleUnion Minister (FAHD), GoItook a review meeting with the Department of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry official, Government of Tamil Nadu regarding effective utilization of Government schemes and discussed the status, issues, and challenges. He has also shared his opinion that carrying out the PMMSY scheme activities shall have a significant impact on the fisheries sector in India. This will not only boost the income of fishermen and fish farmers but also increase the availability of fish in the market, which will have a positive impact on food security and nutrition.

 

In all around today approx. 11,100 fishermen, various fisheries stakeholders, and scholars attended physically the Sagar Parikrama Phase-IX program from various places of which approx. 4600 fisherwomen participated, and the program were live streamed on various social media platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

Overall, approx. 32,300 beneficiaries such as fishermen, fish farmers, fisher women and other stakeholders contributed and participated in Sagar Parikrama Phase- IX from across the entire coastal region of Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Puducherry. Sagar Parikrama would continue to support in resolving the issues of fishers, other stakeholders and facilitatefishermen& fisherwomen at their doorstep by hearing their difficulties and grievances. Sagar Parikrama shall continue witness the village level ground realities and encourage sustainable fishing.

 

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