NEWS HIGHLIGHT
Theme : Environment Pollution & Degradation
Paper:GS - 3
there is a need to scrutinize the potential of the Blue economy to play a significant role in India's economic development and contribute to the country's long-term prosperity.
TABLE OF CONTENT
- Context
- What is Blue Economy
- The Significance of Blue Economy
- Challenges to Blue Economy
- Government Interventions
- Road Ahead
Context : there is a need to scrutinize the potential of the Blue economy to play a significant role in India's economic development and contribute to the country's long-term prosperity.
What is Blue Economy :
- Blue economy refers to the sustainable use of marine resources for exploration, economic growth, improved livelihoods, and transport while preserving the health of marine and coastal ecosystems.In India, the blue economy encompasses a wide range of sectors, including shipping, tourism, fisheries, and offshore oil and gas exploration.
The Significance of Blue Economy :
- Transport: With an over 7,500-km-long coastline spread across nine coastal states, 12 major, and 200 minor ports, India's blue economy supports 95% of the country's business through transportation and contributes an estimated 4% to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
- Expansion of Shipping Industry: India is looking to expand its presence in the shipping industry and increase its capacity as a hub for ship repair and maintenance, which can come with various economic and geopolitical benefits.
- Offshore Energy Production: There are also opportunities to develop offshore wind and solar energy in India, which could help to meet the country's growing energy needs.
- Aquaculture and Marine Biotechnology: The blue economy can support the growth of these sectors, which have the potential to contribute to the country's food security and improve the health of the ocean ecosystem.
- Synergy With SDG: It supports all of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG14 ‘life below water’.
Challenges to Blue Economy :
- Lack of Infrastructure: There is a lack of ports, airports, and other infrastructure in many coastal areas of India, which can make it difficult to develop and expand economic activities in these regions.
- Overfishing: Overfishing is a major challenge in India's coastal waters, as it can lead to the depletion of fish stocks and harm the marine ecosystem. This can have negative impacts on the fishing industry and other sectors of the blue economy.
- Marine Pollution: Pollution from sources such as oil spills, plastic waste, and industrial effluent can harm marine ecosystems and have negative impacts on the blue economy.
- Climate Change: Rising sea levels, negative Indian Ocean dipole and other impacts of climate change can pose risks to coastal communities and also have negative impacts on the blue economy.
- India-Sri Lanka Fishing Conflict: The boundary between Indian and Sri Lankan waters in the Palk Bay is not clearly defined, which has led to confusion and conflict between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen.
Government Interventions :
- Deep Ocean Mission
- India-Norway Task Force on Blue Economy for Sustainable Development
- Sagarmala Project
- O-SMART
- Integrated Coastal Zone Management
- National Fisheries Policy
- NavIC
Road Ahead :
- Investment in Infrastructure: Investing in infrastructure such as ports, airports, and other facilities in coastal areas can help to support the growth and expansion of economic activities in these regions.
- Research and Development: Investing in research and development to improve technologies and practices in the blue economy can help to increase efficiency and reduce the negative impacts on the environment.India must focus on marine ICTs, and transport (shipping) and communication services, and the creation of a knowledge hub for marine research and development.
- Partnerships and Collaboration: Working with other countries, international organizations, and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge and expertise, and to collaborate on projects and initiatives, can help to support the growth and development of the blue economy.
FAQs :
-
What is the Blue Economy?
ANS. Blue economy refers to the sustainable use of marine resources for exploration, economic growth, improved livelihoods, and transport while preserving the health of marine and coastal ecosystems.In India, the blue economy encompasses a wide range of sectors, including shipping, tourism, fisheries, and offshore oil and gas exploration.
-
What is the significance of the Blue Economy?
ANS.
- Transport: With an over 7,500-km-long coastline spread across nine coastal states, 12 major, and 200 minor ports, India's blue economy supports 95% of the country's business through transportation and contributes an estimated 4% to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
- Expansion of Shipping Industry: India is looking to expand its presence in the shipping industry and increase its capacity as a hub for ship repair and maintenance, which can come with various economic and geopolitical benefits.
- Offshore Energy Production: There are also opportunities to develop offshore wind and solar energy in India, which could help to meet the country's growing energy needs.
- Aquaculture and Marine Biotechnology: The blue economy can support the growth of these sectors, which have the potential to contribute to the country's food security and improve the health of the ocean ecosystem.