Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying hosted a ceremony for release of Book and Video on Sagar Parikrama Programme today at the Rajkot Engineering Association, Rajkot, Gujarat. Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Parshottam Rupala inaugurated the Book and Video Release Ceremony for the Sagar Parikrama Programme.

Shri Parshottam Rupala has unveiled the Book and Video on ‘Sagar Parikrama’ journey that will inspire the sector towards empowering the fishermen community in the country. Shri Vajubhai Vala, Ex-Governor, Shri Mohanbhai Kundariya, Member Parliament, LS, Shri Rambhai Mokariya, Member Parliament, RS, Secretary, DoF, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi through virtual mode, Ms. Neetu Kumari Prasad, Jt. Secretary, Dr. L. N. Murthy, Chief Executive, NFDB, Shri Narendra Kumar Meena, Director, Dept. of Fisheries of Gujarat and Swami Parmatmanand Saraswati were also present in the occasion.

Union Minister Shri Parshottam Rupala has addressed the ceremony and shared his experience for the historic journey commenced from Mandvi, Gujarat on 05.03.2022 and concluded on 11.01.2024 at Gangasagar, West Bengal encompassing 12 coastal states/ UTs in 12 phases. The Union Minister mentioned that the sea journey during Sagar Parikrama was extremely challenging sometimes due to the harsh sea conditions, but in a way it was also a learning experience and vital in understanding the real difficulties and day to day challenges faced by our fishermen. The feedback, suggestions and on-ground experience of Sagar Parikrama would be very important in policy and scheme formulation for the sector and various initiative to be taken by Government of India for betterment fishermen communities.

Shri Rupala also especially mentioned about the support extended by the fishermen, Indian Coast Guard, all coastal State/UT Governments, maritime boards, and other stakeholders who have been instrumental for making the Sagar Parikrama successful. The Union Minister recalled the incident when he was stuck in the Chilika Lake, Orissa in the night during Sagar Parikrama, and expressed his thanks to the fishermen who had navigated him and other dignitaries and escorted then to the shore safely. Shri Rupala highlighted the significance of yatra with an example, where the Chief Minister of Maharashtra who graced the Sagar Parikrama in Maharashtra, extended immediate financial support against the loss incurred by fishermen due to burning of fishing nets as this issue came to his notice during the Sagar Parikrama yatra.

Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi addressed the ceremony through video conference and highlighted that this journey covered coastal length of 7,989 Kilometres in 44 days, touching about 3,071 fishing villages to understand issues and challenges of the fishermen. Shri Likhi has also mentioned that about 1000 representation were received and the department is taking appropriate actions.

Ms. Neetu Kumari Prasad has presented brief of the Sagar Parikrama and its significance during her address. 

An ambitious initiative aimed at chronicling the Sagar Parikrama Yatra in its entirety. The objective of the book is to chronicle the Sagar Parikrama Yatra, encompassing content on diverse elements, such as the Maritime route, cultural and geographical explorations, and notable impacts from all 12 phases of Sagar Parikrama.

Sagar Parikrama Programme is a testament to India's rich maritime heritage, reflecting the country's enduring relationship with the seas. The book serves as a comprehensive documentation of this epic journey, offering insights into the maritime route traversed, the cultural and geographical explorations undertaken and the remarkable impacts witnessed across all 12 phases of the Sagar Parikrama.

Fisheries sector is considered as a sunrise sector and has immense potential for bringing equitable and inclusive growth by economic empowerment of the weaker section of the society. India is the 3^rd largest fish producer, 2^nd largest aquaculture producer, largest shrimp producer and 4^th largest top seafood exporter in the world. Sagar Parikrama was undertaken to facilitate interaction with fishermen, coastal communities, and stakeholders to disseminate information on various fisheries related schemes and programs being implemented by the Government of India and to also understand the issues faced by fisher folks.

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