(a) the feature of Blue Economy in the country;
(b) the details of the funds sanctioned, allocated and utilized for activities related to Mission Blue Economy in the country;
(c) the details of the projects underway in the country as part of the blue economy; and
(d) the details of the target set and the achievements made so far in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND
MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)
(a) The Blue Economy in the country primarily involvesfisheries and aquaculture, oil and natural gas, tourism, shipping, trade, services and security as main and conventional sectors. In addition, the emerging sectors in blue economy such as marine mineral exploitation, marine engineering, offshore energy, biotechnology application, pollution studies, climate change, and disaster management are gaining importance in India. Exclusive Economic Zone of 2 million sq. km, 7500 km long coastline with over 1300 islands and islets, 18 % of the coastal population, 12 major ports and 187 non-major ports annually handling 1400 million ton of cargo, 46% and 61% recoverable reserves of oil and natural gas, and about 4 million ton of annual fish catch constitutes important elements of India’s Blue Economy.
(b) No specific funds under Mission Blue Economy have been sanctioned or allocated for the Ministry of Earth Sciences. However, the Ministry of Earth Sciences has utilized Rs 326.00 crore, Rs 443.50 crore and Rs 432.00 crore during 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively under its programme on Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART).
(c) NITI Aayog had constituted 7 Working Groups on National Blue Economy and Sustainable Development Policy in August 2018. This study has mapped prevalent status and prospects of management of the maritime sector in India and addressed various aspects in this regard.
(d) Does not arise.