Published on 18 Feb 2025
The term “Blue Revolution” typically refers to the global movement aimed at promoting the sustainable development and responsible management of aquatic resources, particularly marine and freshwater environments. Blue Revolution also called as Neel or Nili Kranti Mission in India was launched in 1985-1990 during the 7th Five-Year Plan.
Significance of Blue Revolution in India
Economic Growth
Employment Generation: Creates jobs in aquaculture, fishing, processing, and related sectors.
Example: The deep-sea Fishing Project in Tamil Nadu has empowered traditional fishermen by providing them with modern fishing vessels and equipment.
Export Potential: India has a vast coastline and diverse aquatic resources, offering significant export opportunities.
Income Generation: Improves the livelihoods of coastal and inland communities through increased fish production and related activities.
Example: The shrimp aquaculture industry in Andhra Pradesh has generated substantial revenue and employment opportunities.
Food Security and Nutrition
Food Security: India's position as the world's second-largest fish producer underscores the Blue Revolution's crucial role in ensuring food security
Protein Source: Fish is a rich source of protein, essential for a balanced diet, especially in protein-deficient regions.
Nutritional Security: Contributes to overall food security and nutritional well-being of the population.
Coastal Development
Infrastructure Development: Investments in fisheries and aquaculture lead to better infrastructure, including ports, harbors, and processing facilities.
Coastal Community Development: Enhances the socio-economic conditions of coastal communities.
Sustainable Development
Aquaculture Promotion: Encourages sustainable aquaculture practices to reduce pressure on natural fish stocks.
Example: The Matsyagrama project in Kerala, which promotes integrated fish farming, has significantly increased fish production in the state.
Marine Ecosystem Conservation: Promotes responsible fishing practices to protect marine biodiversity.
Example: The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve has successfully implemented community-based conservation programs, involving local fishermen in marine turtle conservation efforts.
Foreign Exchange Earnings
Export-Oriented: India can become a major exporter of fish and seafood products, earning valuable foreign exchange.
Example: The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has facilitated the development of seafood processing units with international quality standards.
Challenges faced by Blue revolution India
Environmental Challenges
Water Pollution: Contamination of water bodies due to industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and domestic waste adversely affects fish health and productivity.
Overfishing: Unsustainable fishing practices deplete fish stocks, impacting marine ecosystems and livelihoods.
Example: Depletion of commercially important species like tuna, shrimp, and cod due to unsustainable fishing practices, using methods like bottom trawling and dynamite fishing.
Climate Change: Rising sea levels, changes in ocean currents, and increased frequency of extreme weather events disrupt marine ecosystems and fisheries.
Infrastructure and Technological Challenges
Lack of Modern Infrastructure: Inadequate cold storage, processing facilities, and transportation networks lead to post-harvest losses and limit market reach.
Limited Technology Adoption: Slow adoption of advanced aquaculture techniques and fishing technologies hampers productivity and efficiency.
Example: Low adoption of advanced aquaculture techniques like recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and biofloc technology due to high costs and lack of awareness.
Seed Quality and Availability: Insufficient availability of quality fish seeds affects production and growth rates.
Socio-Economic Challenges
Small and Marginal Fishers: A large portion of fishers are small-scale and lack access to credit, technology, and market information.
Example: Over 90% of Indian fishermen are small-scale, lacking access to credit, insurance, and modern equipment.
Market Fluctuations: Price volatility in the fish market affects the income of fishers and aquaculture farmers.
Lack of Skilled Manpower: Shortage of skilled labor in the fisheries sector hinders development and growth.
Land and Water Conflicts: Competition for land and water resources between agriculture and aquaculture can lead to conflicts.
Policy and Governance Challenges
Complex Regulatory Framework: Multiple agencies involved in fisheries management lead to overlapping regulations and delays.
Lack of Data and Information: Insufficient data on fish stocks, production, and market trends hampers effective policymaking.
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: This illegal activity undermines sustainable fisheries management.
Way Forward and measures to address the challenges of Blue Revolution
Environmental Sustainability
Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM): Implement the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification with flexibility for sustainable development while protecting coastal ecosystems.
Pollution Control: Strengthen the enforcement of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and promote the adoption of effluent treatment plants in coastal industries.
Blue Carbon Initiatives: Support initiatives like mangrove restoration and seagrass conservation under the National Mission for Coastal Biodiversity to sequester carbon and protect coastal habitats.
Infrastructure and Technology
Cold Chain Development: Expand the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to include more cold storage facilities and refrigerated transport vehicles.
Technology Transfer: Establish aquaculture technology parks and demonstration farms under the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) to showcase advanced practices.
Seed Production: Support the development of Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) and state-level hatcheries to produce quality fish seeds.
Research and Development: Increase funding for marine research under the Department of Ocean Development (DOD) to develop climate-resilient varieties and aquaculture technologies.
Socio-Economic Development
Fishermen's Welfare: Expand coverage of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to provide credit, insurance, and skill development training to fishermen.
Value Addition: Promote value addition through schemes like the Ministry of Food Processing Industries' Mega Food Parks and Cold Chain Infrastructure schemes.
Cooperative Development: Strengthen the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to support fishermen's cooperatives.
Governance and Policy
Data Management: Enhance the National Fisheries Information System (NFIS) to collect and analyze comprehensive data for evidence-based policymaking.
IUU Fishing Control: Strengthen the Coastal Security Force and implement the Fisheries Control Act, 1984, to combat illegal fishing.
International Cooperation: Participate actively in regional fisheries bodies like the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) and the Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP) to address transboundary issues.
Geography
BLUE REVOLUTION
Significance of Blue Revolution in India
Challenges faced by Blue revolution India
measures to address the challenges of Blue Revolution
Nili Kranti Mission
fishing
General Studies Paper 1
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