India’s Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems. With its vast coastline and rich marine resources, India has immense potential to develop its Blue Economy. This includes sectors like fisheries, tourism, maritime transport, and renewable energy from the ocean. By focusing on these areas, India can boost its economy, create jobs, and ensure the sustainable use of ocean resources, benefiting both the environment and the people.
Tags: GS Paper – 3 Economy– Growth & Development- Blue Economy
Context:
- India’s Deep Ocean Mission, Samudrayaan, aims to harness the Blue Economy by exploring and using ocean resources sustainably.
- The mission focuses on developing tools for climate change prediction, exploring renewable energy, and establishing underwater research labs.
- India needs to balance resource extraction with sustainable practices and responsible development.
What are the Major Opportunities Related to the Blue Economy for India?
- Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture:
- India’s extensive coastline and inland water resources offer significant potential for developing sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
- The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is transforming the sector by promoting technology-driven, sustainable practices.
- Ocean Energy:
- India’s coastline has vast potential for ocean energy, including tidal, wave, and offshore wind power.
- A notable advancement is IIT Madras’s deployment of a wave energy generator off the Tamil Nadu coast.
- The government’s goal of installing 30GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 highlights the sector’s potential.
- Marine Biotechnology:
- Exploring India’s marine biodiversity for biotechnological applications presents a frontier with immense potential.
- This sector offers opportunities for developing novel drugs, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and biofuels.
- Investing in marine biotechnology could position India as a leader in this emerging field, driving innovation and creating high-value products.
- Seabed Mining:
- one for polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin and the other for polymetallic sulfides in the Indian Ocean Ridge.
- This provides a significant opportunity to obtain critical minerals like copper, nickel, cobalt, and manganese, which are essential for emerging technologies and renewable energy systems.
- Coastal and Cruise Tourism:
- Developing coastal and cruise tourism offers substantial economic benefits for India’s coastal regions.
- The Sagarmala programme’s plans for cruise terminals at major ports such as Mumbai and Cochin aim to tap into the growing global cruise market.
- This sector can create diverse employment opportunities, from hospitality to local handicrafts, and promote cultural exchange.
- Shipbuilding and Ship Recycling:
- India’s ₹4,000 crore subsidy scheme for shipbuilding presents opportunities for both new ship construction and the development of environmentally friendly ship recycling practices.
- The Recycling of Ships Act, 2019, positions India to become a global leader in sustainable ship recycling, generating significant employment, boosting exports, and contributing to ancillary industries.
- Desalination Technologies:
- With growing water scarcity issues, India’s focus on developing cost-effective desalination technologies is timely.
- The Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plant in Lakshadweep, developed by NIOT, demonstrates India’s capability in indigenous desalination technology.
- This sector offers opportunities to address domestic water needs, especially in coastal and island regions, and position India as an exporter of desalination technology to water-stressed nations.
- Marine Spatial Planning:
- Implementing comprehensive marine spatial planning is essential for balancing economic activities with conservation efforts in India’s maritime zones.
- The Blue Flag certification program, which includes certified Indian beaches like Shivrajpur (Dwarka, Gujarat) and Ghoghla (Diu), exemplifies efforts towards sustainable coastal development.
- Deep Sea Exploration and Research:
- The Deep Ocean Mission, launched in 2021, marks India’s ambitious entry into deep-sea exploration.
- The development of the manned submersible vehicle MATSYA 6000, capable of reaching depths of 6,000 metres, will greatly enhance India’s deep-sea research capabilities.
What are the Major Challenges Related to the Blue Economy for India?
- Environmental Degradation and Biodiversity Loss:
- Over 65% of coral reefs in the Indian Ocean and Middle East are threatened. The Sundarbans mangrove forest loses 16 sq km annually due to sea-level rise and erosion.
- The 2020 MV Wakashio oil spill near Mauritius highlights marine ecosystem vulnerability.
- Overfishing and Unsustainable Fishing Practices:
- A 2022 ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute report found 8.2% of India’s 135 fish stocks overfished and 4.4% overfishing.
- Practices like bottom trawling worsen the situation.
- Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise:
- A 3 cm sea level rise could push the sea inland by 17 metres, affecting infrastructure and livelihoods.
- Cyclone Amphan in 2020, causing USD 13.5 billion in damages, illustrates this vulnerability.
- Marine Debris:
- India generates about 9.46 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with significant amounts ending up in the oceans.
- Microplastics in marine food chains pose risks to both marine life and human health.
- Balancing Economic Development with Conservation:
- Balancing resource exploitation with conservation is challenging.
- For example, the Great Nicobar Island port project faces criticism for potentially harming rainforests and coral reefs.
- Maritime Security and Piracy:
- Maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region is crucial. Piracy and transnational crimes pose significant risks, with 120 incidents reported in 2023.
- Limited Research and Development:
- India’s marine R&D investment is limited compared to other nations.
- Research expenditure is less than 1% of the total R&D budget, significantly lower than China and the US.
What Actions India Can Take to Foster a Sustainable Blue Economy?
- Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Management:
- Implement a fisheries management plan with quotas, sustainable aquaculture techniques, and traceability systems to address overfishing and promote sustainability.
- The Marine Stewardship Council certification for Kerala’s Ashtamudi clam fishery shows the potential for sustainable practices.
- Integrated Coastal Zone Management:
- Adopt a holistic coastal management approach with strict regulations on construction and pollution, nature-based solutions like mangrove restoration, and community engagement through eco-tourism.
- The Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project in Gujarat and Odisha offers a model for wider implementation.
- Marine Pollution Control and Waste Management:
- Address marine pollution by enforcing discharge regulations, enhancing wastewater treatment, and adopting extended producer responsibility (EPR) for plastics.
- Circular economy initiatives like the Plastics Disclosure Project also help reduce pollution.
- Advanced Maritime Security and Surveillance:
- Enhance maritime security by upgrading surveillance with AI-powered drones and satellite monitoring and strengthening the Indian Coast Guard and Navy.
- Improving coordination among maritime agencies is crucial, with the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) being a key step.
- Skill Development and Capacity Building in Maritime Sectors:
- Launch skill development programs for offshore energy, marine biotechnology, and sustainable fisheries.
- Expand the Sagarmala programme’s coastal community development component for nationwide skill development.
- Research and Innovation in Marine Technology:
- Increase investment in marine R&D, promote academia-industry collaboration, and establish innovation hubs in coastal cities.
- Expand the Technology and Innovation in Exploration and Mining of Deep-sea Resources (TEM) programme.
- Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Building:
- Develop coastal hazard maps, implement nature-based solutions like mangrove restoration, and strengthen early warning systems.
- The National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project provides a framework for addressing coastal hazards and climate change impacts
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year’s Question (PYQs)
Mains
Q:1 Defining blue revolution, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India. (2018)
Source: ET
FAQs
Q: What is the Blue Economy?
Answer: The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems. It includes activities like fishing, tourism, shipping, and renewable energy.
Q: Why is the Blue Economy important for India?
Answer: India has a long coastline and a vast maritime zone, making the Blue Economy crucial for its economic growth. It can create jobs, boost coastal community development, and contribute significantly to the country’s GDP.
Q: What are the key areas of India’s Blue Economy?
Answer: Key areas include fisheries and aquaculture, marine biotechnology, ocean energy, seabed mining, marine tourism, and shipping. Each of these sectors has the potential to drive economic growth and sustainability.
Q: How can India benefit from its Blue Economy?
Answer: India can benefit by tapping into its rich marine resources to generate income, create employment opportunities, and promote sustainable practices. This can also help in addressing issues like poverty and food security in coastal regions.
Q: What steps is the Indian government taking to develop the Blue Economy?
Answer: The Indian government is investing in infrastructure, promoting research and innovation, and encouraging public-private partnerships. Initiatives like Sagarmala aim to modernize ports and enhance maritime logistics. The government is also focusing on sustainable practices to protect marine ecosystems.
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