Plan of Action for Development of Climate resilience Inland Fishermen Villages.docx
- 1. Intension to change scenario of poverty of needy people of all communities for development of self- sustaining rural areas and reduction of excessive migration of struggling people from rural to urban areas. Dedicated to commemorate the memory Bharat Ratna Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Father of the Indian Constitution.”his birthday is also referred to as 'Equality Day' by some in India, Father of the Indian Constitution.” Proposed Plan of Action for Policy reforms and Integrated Development of Below Poverty Inland Fishermen Villages in India Bhukya Bhaskar Fisheries 1. Introduction: India has vast inland fisheries resources, including India has vast and diverse inland fisheries resources, including rivers, canals, flood plain lakes, ponds, tanks, and reservoirs. These resources form the backbone of the country's fisheries sector, making India the 2nd largest aquaculture producer globally. Inland fisheries contribute more than 75% of India's total fish production. The total inland fish production increased from 66.87 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 to 131.13 lakh tonnes in 2022-2023.Contributing significantly to the India's fisheries sector, particularly inland fisheries, sustains the livelihoods of around 30 million people, with the sector contributing significantly to the national economy and food security. The India fresh fish market generated a revenue of USD 27,151.6 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 33,610.0 million by 2030. The India market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2025 to 2030. The share of Fisheries sector in the total Gross Value Added (GVA), at constant prices, in 2021-2022 is Rs. 1,47,519 crores that constitutes about 1.07 % of the total national GVA and 6.86 % of Agricultural GVA. 2. Inland Fisheries Resources of India: Rivers and Canals: 0.28 million km Floodplain Lakes: 1.2 million ha Ponds and Tanks: 2.45 million ha Reservoirs: 3.15 million ha Brackish water (potential resource for fin fish and shellfish farming): 1.2 million ha Saline/alkaline affected areas: 12 lakh hectares Estimated fish production potential: 17 million tons fish production: 9.58 million tons (2018-19) Inland fisheries contribute to about 30% of the total fish production Rivers fall under 113 river basins having a total catchment area of 3.12 million km2 With 56 large reservoirs, 180 medium reservoirs and 19,134 small reservoirs covering water area of 1.14 million ha, 0.527 million ha and 1.485 million ha, respectively. 3. Fishermen Population size : 1
- 2. Intension to change scenario of poverty of needy people of all communities for development of self- sustaining rural areas and reduction of excessive migration of struggling people from rural to urban areas. Dedicated to commemorate the memory Bharat Ratna Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Father of the Indian Constitution.”his birthday is also referred to as 'Equality Day' by some in India, Father of the Indian Constitution.” Inland fisheries, sustains the livelihoods of around 30 million people, with the sector contributing significantly to the national economy and food security. Average population of Inland Fishermen villages: 50 to 1500 no of fishers/ village Range from 20 households to 1500 nos per habitation to fishers village Average number of Houses per village among tribal fishers: 50 to 250 houses per village. 4. Challenges of fishers: Lack of quality seed nearby villages, high cost of transportation, seed transportation mortalities. Poor productivity of water bodies, fish mortalities, poaching, high cost of production. Poor facilities in available fish markets and access to nearby export marketing linkages problem. conflicts within and nearby fishermen villages for Inland fisheries resources middle men lease taking from societies and profit earning by large scale middle men than poor fishermen. Poor financial support from banks to land less & property less inland fishers for starting new business. High unemployment rate, lack of purchasing powers for nutritious food Construction of houses, good quality education, employable skills, lack of trust on employment opportunities among poor fishermen and poor support to students higher studies. Discrimination from different communities due to unhygienic conditions maintenance Poor demand among consumers for preserved fishes and extreme difficulties and high cost of maintain and transport fishes in live condition. 4.1 Social: competition for common resources, Poverty and lack of land for alternative livelihood for promoting via inland Aquaculture 4.2 Financial: extreme Poverty line Inland fishers also facing lack of access to financial support due to lack of land and other properties halting them to get support from financial institutions, which are demanding collateral mortgage for loans. 4.3 Health: majority of fishermen are facing health issues due to live in polluted riverine & inland water resources occupied dense populated areas. Pesticides from agricultural run offs in water resources. Fishing occupational risk on waters, lack of awareness on access to health cards, poor quality amenities in local hospitals, high risk of diseases due to unhygienic condition in hospitals and rural village educational institutions. 4.4 Environmental Challenges: 4.5 Habitat Destruction: Urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural expansion encroach on fish habitats, reducing the availability of suitable breeding and feeding grounds. 2
- 3. Intension to change scenario of poverty of needy people of all communities for development of self- sustaining rural areas and reduction of excessive migration of struggling people from rural to urban areas. Dedicated to commemorate the memory Bharat Ratna Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Father of the Indian Constitution.”his birthday is also referred to as 'Equality Day' by some in India, Father of the Indian Constitution.” 4.6 Water Pollution: Industrial and agricultural runoff, untreated sewage, and plastic waste contaminate water bodies, harming fish populations and making them unsafe for consumption. 4.7 Climate Change: Fluctuations in water levels, changing rainfall patterns, and increased water temperatures disrupt fish breeding cycles and reduce fish yields. 4.8 Overfishing: Unsustainable fishing practices, such as using destructive fishing gear and catching immature fish, deplete fish stocks and disrupt the ecosystem. 4.9 Aquatic Pollution: Aquatic pollution, destruction of fish habitats, water abstraction and impacts on aquatic biodiversity are all increasing. 4.10 Occupational risk: Access to Fisheries Resources and seasonal and threat of climatic change induced disasters majorly draught and floods, landslides etc. 5. Approaching strategy/ Plan of Action for development of Modal Inland Fishers Village. Joint Survey of District wise State/UT Department of fisheries with support of revenue, irrigation, Panchayat raj and DRDA for identifying villages with poor Inland fishers without proper facilities for education, health centers, roads, water supply and land resources. Identification of gap and actual need based development of modal fishing village in rural areas including semirural, Hilly areas, Himalayan Border fishing villages, North Eastern and rural villages by comprehensive evidence based developmental strategy for modal fishermen village. 6. Integrated Funding support: Support by merging department of fisheries with schemes of central and state for providing access to multidimensional govt financing and technical institutional cum private supporting strategy for overall development of Modal Climate Resilient Rural Inland Fishers villages (MCRIFV). 7. Characteristics of Successful Inland Fishery Communities: 7.1 Community-Based Management: 3
- 4. Intension to change scenario of poverty of needy people of all communities for development of self- sustaining rural areas and reduction of excessive migration of struggling people from rural to urban areas. Dedicated to commemorate the memory Bharat Ratna Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Father of the Indian Constitution.”his birthday is also referred to as 'Equality Day' by some in India, Father of the Indian Constitution.” Many successful inland fisheries are managed at the community level, with local communities having the responsibility for developing regulations, monitoring resources, and ensuring sustainability. 7.2 Focus on Sustainability: These communities prioritize sustainable fishing practices to ensure the long-term health of fish populations and the environment. 7.3 Diversification of Livelihoods: Some communities are exploring diversification of livelihoods, such as aquaculture and tourism, to reduce reliance on fishing alone. 7.4 Value Chain Development: Efforts are being made to enhance the value chain, from fishing to processing and marketing, to increase incomes and create more opportunities. 7.5 Technological Advancement: Some communities are adopting new technologies, such as GPS and remote sensing, to improve fishing efficiency and resource management. 8. Government Support: In some regions, governments are actively supporting inland fisheries through policies, investments, and technical assistance 9. Need based Area specific Rural Development plan for Inland fishers Villages: Construction of Model Inland Fishing villages to uplift inland fishers livelihood facing extreme poverty line, occupational risk, livelihood support construction of houses Provision of drinking water & sanitation facilities among fishers village provision for health facilities, setting up of fish marketing centers, Construction of fisher community halls for trainings and capacity buildings, awareness Programmes and displaying updates related to various govt schemes and various support to fishers for access to updated information among village level in their local language. Setting up of renewable energy sources like solar panels, solar streetlights and wind energy based on feasibility of areas. Construction and renovation of existing educational institutions facilities, setting up of modal library in Selected Inland fishers Villages for promoting education culture, creating access to employment & digital literacy related information access to fishers village. 4
- 5. Intension to change scenario of poverty of needy people of all communities for development of self- sustaining rural areas and reduction of excessive migration of struggling people from rural to urban areas. Dedicated to commemorate the memory Bharat Ratna Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Father of the Indian Constitution.”his birthday is also referred to as 'Equality Day' by some in India, Father of the Indian Constitution.” Construction of fish net mending units nearby community halls for selected group of traditional fishers among for creating self employment old age traditional fishers who are skilled in net mending & net stitching works and unable to go for fishing. Construction of model cage culture/pen culture set within selected modal fishing villages to based on perineal and seasonal availability of water resources among inland fishers villages. Promoting eco-friendly developmental approaches, e-vehicles/ e-rikshwas to below poverty fishers interested in marketing of fishes among nearby villages for self- employment. Setting up of Modal Integrated Fish Farming merging with department of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry rearing unit in selected Modal Inland fishing village Leasing of govt unused lands/ facilitating large and small aquatic resources to poor fishers for doubling the income alternative livelihood opportunities. Setting up of employment generating infrastructure among modal selected fishermen village. Hatchery, Nursery seed rearing farms, Organic fish farming, cage culture, In pond cage culture, pen culture, Pearl culture, trout and cold water fishes race ways farming, back yard RAS, Ornamental fish culture, culture based capture fisheries, stock enhancement, river ranching, supply of quality seed at affordable prices, netting infrastructure and renewable resources based infrastructure. Sustainable infrastructure creation, employment cum income generation sustainable modals to reduce migration of inland rural fishers to urban areas. Setting up of multispecies hatchery complex for quality seed production and on time supply within demanded areas in reachable distance.Initially 5districts/one multi fish species Hatchery, modal nursery rearing units. 5