The Ministry of Earth Sciences released a white paper titled “Transforming India’s Blue Economy: Investment, Innovation, and Sustainable Growth”.
- Objective: Unlock India’s marine resource potential through sustained investment, research, and ocean innovation to drive economic growth and environmental sustainability by 2035.
About Blue Economy
- The blue economy is defined as the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving ocean ecosystems.
- It includes sectors such as fisheries, shipping, coastal tourism, renewable energy, marine biotechnology, and mineral resources.
Roadmap to 2035
- Strategic Investment Focus: Prioritize high-impact sectors such as fisheries, ports, coastal tourism, and offshore renewables.
- Develop a clear investment pipeline of feasible, ready-to-launch projects.
- Institutional Coordination: Establish a Blue Investment Helpdesk to assist investors in navigating regulatory challenges and fast-track approvals.
- Introduce annual progress dashboards to monitor key metrics like project completion, jobs created, and revenue generated.
- Sustainable Growth and Environmental Protection: Ensure that investments align with sustainability goals, such as net-zero emissions by 2070, marine conservation, and climate change mitigation.
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Key Components of India’s Blue Economy
- Fisheries and Aquaculture: India is the world’s second-largest fish producer with around 8% share in global fish production.
- Contributes ~1% to India’s GDP and ~5% to agricultural GDP.
- Employs over 14 million people, especially in coastal states like Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.
- Maritime Transport and Shipping: India has 13 major ports and 200+ non-major ports handling ~95% of India’s trade by volume.
- Sagarmala Programme: Aims to modernize ports, enhance coastal shipping, and develop port-led industrialization.
- Marine Tourism: Coastal states (e.g., Goa, Kerala, Andaman & Nicobar) leverage beaches, coral reefs, and marine biodiversity.
- Potential for cruise tourism, water sports, and eco-tourism.
- Challenges: Environmental degradation, lack of infrastructure, and regulatory hurdles.
| Blue hydrogen is hydrogen produced from natural gas using steam methane reforming, but with the crucial addition of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to mitigate the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. |
- Offshore Energy:
- Renewable Energy: Potential for offshore wind energy (e.g., Gujarat and Tamil Nadu coasts).
- Target: 30 GW offshore wind capacity by 2030.
- Oil and Gas: Exploration in Krishna-Godavari and Mumbai High basins.
- Blue hydrogen and marine-based carbon capture systems are emerging areas.
- Marine Biotechnology: Focus on marine-derived pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and biomaterials.
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- Limited current contribution but high potential for innovation and R&D.
- Coastal Infrastructure and Community Development: Development of coastal economic zones (CEZs) under Sagarmala.
- Focus on skill development and livelihood programs for coastal communities.
Importance of the Blue Economy for India
- Strategic Location and Maritime Resources: India has a coastline of 11,098 km and an EEZ of 2.4 million sq. km.
- This offers substantial natural resources, making India a maritime powerhouse.
- Economic Diversification: It promotes diversification through sectors such as sustainable fisheries, coastal tourism, offshore renewables, marine biotechnology, and deep-sea exploration, contributing to overall economic growth.
- Job Creation and Livelihoods: Around 14 million people depend on coastal activities.
- These include fishing, tourism, and shipping, providing vital livelihoods for many communities.
- Environmental Sustainability: Leveraging marine resources sustainably helps protect marine ecosystems, reducing the impacts of overfishing, pollution, and climate change.
| Blue carbon refers to the carbon captured and stored in coastal and marine ecosystems.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designated zones in the ocean where human activities are regulated to protect marine ecosystems and their biodiversity. |
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- Initiatives like Blue Carbon and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) play a pivotal role in conservation efforts.
- National Security and Geopolitical Influence: A strong Blue Economy enhances maritime security.
- It helps secure shipping lanes and strengthens India’s geopolitical position.
- Support for SDGs and Global Leadership: Aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) to conserve and sustainably use oceans, India’s leadership in Blue Economy initiatives, such as the BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) Agreement, supports global marine conservation efforts.
- Technological and Innovation Hub: Investments in marine technologies foster innovation.
- India can become a global leader in marine biotechnology, offshore energy, and ocean monitoring.
Case Studies and Best Practices
- Seaweed Cultivation in Odisha: Community-led seaweed farming empowers over 10,000 coastal households, particularly women.
- Seaweed farming provides income and mitigates the impact of declining fish stocks due to overfishing and climate change.
- Expected to scale to 1 million hectares, potentially creating 1 million green jobs.
- Kochi’s Smart Port Transformation: Digital Twin Technology used to optimize port operations, improve resource utilization, and minimize environmental impact, enhancing sustainability and reducing vessel waiting times.
- Alang (Gujarat) Shipbreaking: Alang’s shipbreaking yards have transformed into a sustainable, circular economy model.
- Steel and non-ferrous metals are recovered for reuse, and hazardous waste is managed according to the Hong Kong International Convention standards.
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands (ANI): Sustainable tourism initiatives focusing on eco-tourism, community participation, and environmental protection have made ANI a model for sustainable coastal and marine tourism, supporting around 5,000 jobs.
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Key Government Initiatives and Strategies for India’s Blue Economy
- Sagarmala Programme, 2015: Promote port-led development, modernize port infrastructure, enhance coastal shipping, and develop coastal communities.
- Aims to increase port capacity to 3,300 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by 2025.
- Focus on improving connectivity, developing Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs), and reducing logistics costs.
- Promotes inland waterways and coastal shipping to revolutionize maritime logistics.
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY, 2020): Drive sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector.
- Focus on sustainable aquaculture, modern fishing techniques, cold chain infrastructure, and export growth.
- Supports coastal communities, especially 16 million fisherfolk and fish farmers.
- Deep Ocean Mission: Explore and harness deep-sea resources within India’s EEZ and continental shelf.
- Launched in 2021 with a budget of ₹4,077 crore over 5 years.
- Includes the Samudrayaan Programme for deep-sea exploration of minerals, biodiversity, and non-living resources.
- Maritime India Vision 2030: This initiative focuses on modernizing port infrastructure, improving shipping and logistics, and promoting sustainable practices like green shipping.
- It aims to enhance India’s maritime capacity and global trade connectivity.
- O-SMART (Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources, and Technology): Promote ocean research, sustainable resource use, and early warning systems.
- Focuses on ocean observation, technology development, and forecasting services (e.g., weather, fish potential).
- Supports sustainable harnessing of living and non-living marine resources.
- Promotes seaweed cultivation and mangrove conservation.
- National Fisheries Policy, 2020: Promote the Blue Growth Initiative for sustainable utilization of fisheries wealth.
- Focus on sustainable fisheries management, combating overfishing, and improving fish stock health.
- Supports infrastructure development through the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).
- Blue Economy 2.0: Advance sustainable development through an integrated, multi-sectoral approach.
- Announced in the 2024-25 Interim Budget, focusing on restoration, coastal aquaculture, and mari-culture.
- Emphasizes eco-friendly tourism, climate-resilient activities, and sustainable fisheries.
- Promotes collaboration across government, industry, and civil society.
- Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM): Conserve coastal and marine resources while improving livelihoods.
- Focuses on sustainable coastal development, biodiversity protection, and community welfare.
- Supports coastal tourism and infrastructure development.
- India-Norway Task Force on Blue Economy: Foster international collaboration for sustainable Blue Economy development.
- Launched in 2020 to promote joint initiatives in marine research, technology transfer, and sustainable practices.
- Focuses on fisheries, renewable energy, and maritime cooperation.
- National Offshore Wind Energy Policy (2015): India aims to harness offshore wind energy, with a target to develop 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030.
- The policy supports the development of offshore wind farms and their integration into India’s renewable energy mix.
- Exploration of Polymetallic Nodules: Government of India has been given rights for exploration of polymetallic nodules from the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB).
- Seabed is known to contain polymetallic nodules, polymetallic sulphides, and cobalt-rich manganese crusts.
- India’s estimated polymetallic nodule resource potential is 380 million tonnes, containing 4.7 million tonnes of nickel, 4.29 million tonnes of copper and 0.55 million tonnes of cobalt and 92.59 million tonnes of manganese.
International Alliances
- International Blue Carbon Initiative: “Magical Mangroves—Join the Movement” to combat climate change through the preservation and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems underlines the importance of protecting mangroves
- Alliance for Blue Nature: It is an international collaboration with the goal of advancing Ocean Conservation Areas.
- GloLitter Partnerships Project: It seeks to assist the fishing and maritime transportation industries in transitioning to a post-plastic world.
- London Convention: A 1972 treaty on preventing marine pollution by the discharge of wastes and other materials.
- Global Programme of Action (GPA): It aims to protect marine environments from land-based activities.
Other Initiatives:
- Southeast Asian initiatives: To balance coastal conservation and development with habitat and ecological protection, such as “blue infrastructure development” and “building with nature” techniques, are being adopted.
- One Health model: It unifies ecosystems, agriculture, wildlife, and urban environments into a single approach to the well-being of people and the environment.
- Biodiversity Vision 2050: The biodiversity vision for 2050 calls for the importance, preservation, restoration, and judicious use of biodiversity.
- UN’s 30X30 goal: safeguarding at least 30% of the earth by 2030.
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Enablers for Blue Economy Transformation
- Investment Mechanisms: Use of blue bonds, Viability Gap Funding (VGF), and blended finance vehicles to attract private investment.
- Public-private partnerships (PPPs) essential for scaling infrastructure projects such as port modernization and offshore wind energy.
- Governance and Institutional Framework: A national blue economy investment strategy with a clear, actionable plan to prioritize sectors and attract investments.
- Establishment of Inter-Ministerial Coordination Council on Blue Economy (IMCCBE) to streamline approvals and improve governance.
- Capacity Building and Skill Development: National Blue Skills Program by 2028 to train 50,000 workers in sectors like port logistics, offshore wind maintenance, and marine biotechnology.
- Research and Innovation: Establishing a Blue Economy Research Hub to drive data-driven solutions in marine spatial planning, blue carbon, and ocean observation.
Challenges in India’s Blue Economy
- Fragmented Governance: Over 25 ministries and departments operate in silos, causing delays in clearances and overlapping policies.
- Environmental Degradation: 80% of India’s coastal fish stocks are fully exploited or overexploited (FAO).
- Coral bleaching is rising in the Gulf of Mannar.
- Marine plastic waste exceeds 0.6 million tonnes/year (MoEFCC).
- Technological Gaps: India lacks indigenous deep-sea submersibles and undersea mining tech.
- Cold chain gaps affect marine exports.
- Low Private Investment: Blue sectors contribute ~4% to GDP but get less than 1% of infrastructure funding (NITI Aayog 2023).
- High perceived risks limit investor confidence in seaweed farming, eco-tourism.
- Climate Change Impact: Sea level around Indian coast rising at 3.3 mm/year (INCOIS). This threatens low-lying states like West Bengal and Odisha.
- Ocean acidification affects shellfish and coral health.
- Socio-Economic Disparities: Small fishers lack access to formal credit; women in fisheries are often unpaid.
- National Fisheries Development Board data shows women comprise 70% of post-harvest workforce but earn far less.
- Data and Mapping Deficits: Lack of high-resolution marine data limits Marine Spatial Planning (MSP).
- Only 20% of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone has been adequately mapped for resources.
Way Forward
- Integrated Governance Mechanism: Set up an Inter-Ministerial Coordination Council on Blue Economy (IMCCBE) to streamline policies and approvals.
- Boost Blue Financing: Use blue bonds, viability gap funding, and PPPs to attract investment in ports, offshore wind, and eco-tourism (e.g., Kochi port model).
- Skill Development & Inclusion: Launch the National Blue Skills Program (target: train 50,000 workers by 2028) focusing on women and youth in coastal areas.
- Strengthen Marine R&D and Mapping: Establish a Blue Economy Research Hub to advance innovation in ocean monitoring, blue carbon, and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) tools.
- Promote Sustainable Livelihoods: Expand community-led seaweed cultivation (e.g., Odisha model with 10,000+ coastal households) for climate-resilient income.
- Scale Offshore Renewable Energy: Achieve India’s 2030 target of 30 GW offshore wind capacity to support net-zero emissions and diversify energy mix.
- Expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Strengthen enforcement of MPAs (e.g., in Andaman & Nicobar Islands) to safeguard biodiversity and boost sustainable tourism.
Conclusion
India’s Blue Economy holds immense potential to drive sustainable economic growth, create millions of jobs, and enhance geopolitical influence by 2035. By addressing governance, environmental, and technological challenges through integrated policies and innovation, India can emerge as a global leader in sustainable ocean development.
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