GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTUREAND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY DAIRYING AND FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2859
TO BE ANSWERED ON 13th MARCH, 2018
ASSISTANCE TO FISHERMEN
2859. DR. SHASHI THAROOR :

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE 
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that fishermen throughout the country, including Kerala are facing threats to their livelihood owing to coastal erosion, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is willing to incorporate a special component under the ‘National Scheme of Welfare of fishermen’ to provide assistance to fishermen facing the difficulties of coastal erosion, or in the alternative to create a separate specialized scheme for the same;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SMT. KRISHNA RAJ)
(a) : The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (DADF), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in the recent period, is not in receipt of such reports from the Coastal State Governments and Union Territories.
(b) : No, Madam. The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries(DADF), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) at present has no such proposal.
(c) and (d) : Does not arise, as the coastal protection is not falling under the purview of the DADF, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
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Relevance

Fishermen throughout the country, including Kerala, are facing threats to their livelihood owing to coastal erosion. With 45% of India’s coastline facing erosion, the fishermen are likely to face long-term damage, particularly the local communities. There is no independent study or report being carried out by the government to measure the effect of coastal erosion will have on fishermen. Moreover, The government has not considered providing any assistance to fishermen under “National Scheme of Welfare of fishermen”. They have also not created a separate specialized scheme to help fishermen deal with coastal erosion. If continued, fishermen in India will face severe and irreversible consequences that will impact their livelihood.