- ₹127.71 crore facility will benefit fishermen from six districts- Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi
- The Phase VIII programme of Sagar Parikrama has been organized during 31st August to 02nd September, 2023 from Kanniyakumari to Ramanathapuram through a pre-decided sea route covering 04 coastal districts of Tamil Nadu
- The park will also focus on the conservation of marine ecosystems and will house an aquarium highlighting various marine species that rely on seaweed for survival
NE NEWS SERVICE
RAMANATHAPURAM, SEPT 2
Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala and MoS Dr L Murugan on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the first-ever multipurpose seaweed park of the country at Vazhamavur, Thondi in Ramanathapuram district, the third day of the Sagar Parikrama Phase VIII at Tamil Nadu.
Sagar Parikrama Phase – VIII, Valamavur, Ramanathapuram, Tamilnadu https://t.co/eHDBFck5IW
— Parshottam Rupala (मोदी का परिवार) (@PRupala) September 2, 2023
As many as 136 coastal villages have been identified in six coastal districts–Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi– for seaweed cultivation.
In line with the Union Budget 2021 announcement, India’s 1st Fisheries Aquapark in form of ‘Multipurpose Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu’ was announced by Hon’ble Finance Minister (GoI). In due course of time with due technical evaluation and due diligence, the project was approved with the total investment of Rs 127.7 crore. Based on the hub-and-spoke model, it aims to promote the cultivation and conservation of seaweed and is envisioned as a research and development centre for seaweed cultivation for scientists and researchers to study different species of seaweed and their potential applications while also serving as a training centre for local communities to create awareness.
Sagar Parikrama has arrived at CMFRI, Mandapam. Interacted with the fishers and assured them that the Government of India under the visionary leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji is committed to provide full support for the expansion of seaweed farming. #SagarParikrama pic.twitter.com/REcoeIGGpz
— Parshottam Rupala (मोदी का परिवार) (@PRupala) September 2, 2023
Prior to arrival at Seaweed Park site at Valamavur, Parshottam Rupala, had interactions with groups of fisherwomen engaged in seaweed cultivation at Mandapam centre of CMFRI. He informed the objectives of Seaweed Park namely seaweed cultivation for creation of employment opportunity for the coastal fisher youth and fisherwomen, development of value-added seaweed products by encouraging private sector/ entrepreneurs and support them in setting up seaweed processing units in the proposed seaweed park, development of seaweed seed bank in collaboration with research institutes, universities, private entrepreneurs and fisheries department, exploration of untapped seaweed potential in the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu through scientific and traditional seaweed farming and development of R&D centres for production of quality seaweed.
இந்தியாவின் முதல் பன்னோக்கு கடற்பாசிப் பூங்கா இராமநாதபுரம் மாவட்டம் தொண்டியில் அமைக்க மத்திய அமைச்சர் திரு.@PRupala ஜி அவர்களுடன் இணைந்து அடிக்கல் நாட்டினோம். (1/3)#SagarParikramaPhaseVIII pic.twitter.com/owZF1xTdBn
— Dr.L.Murugan (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@Murugan_MoS) September 2, 2023
The seaweed park include promotion of seaweed cultivation in 136 coastal fishing villages in 6 coastal districts of Tamil Nadu namely Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi. It will involve and engage manpower of 8,821 people to promote their livelihoods, establishment of tissue culture labs and R&D facilities, shore-based infrastructure facilities (drying yard, warehouse etc), skill development and capacity building, storage and marketing facility, processing and value addition facility etc. The seaweed park will also provide a single window support for the entrepreneurs, processors etc. to access information on schemes, licenses/ approvals required, while also providing space to set up processing centres.
During the #SagarParikramaPhaseVIII program, interacted with the fishing community women on See Weed cultivation in Rameshwaram along with Hon'ble Union Minister Shri @PRupala Ji. pic.twitter.com/Br8WLBZLBC
— Dr.L.Murugan (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@Murugan_MoS) September 2, 2023
In addition to promoting seaweed cultivation, the park will also focus on the conservation of marine ecosystems and will house an aquarium highlighting various marine species that rely on seaweed for survival. It is expected to attract tourists, researchers, and entrepreneurs interested in the potential of seaweed as a sustainable resource while serve as platform to create employment opportunities for local communities and contribute to the economic growth of Tamil Nadu. Therefore, Multipurpose Seaweed Park stands not just as a testament to human ingenuity, but as a promise to safeguard the delicate balance of our planet’s ecosystems.
Pon. Radhakrishnan, former Minister in the Government of India, Neetu Kumari Prasad, IAS, Joint Secretary (Fisheries), GoI, Dr LN Murthy, Chief Executive, National Fisheries, Development Board (NFDB), Dr. KS Palanisamy, IAS, Commissioner of Fisheries, Government of Tamil Nadu, B Vishnu Chandran, Collector of Ramanathapuram District and other key dignitaries were present at the event.
