Executive Summary:
This document provides a response to the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3801 regarding the impact of climate change on fisheries in West Bengal, specifically concerning rising salinity and temperature in the Sundarbans. It outlines the steps taken by the Government to support climate-resilient aquaculture practices, details the selection of Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and describes coordination efforts with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The answer was provided on August 12, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
Climate Change Impact on Fisheries:
* The Department of Fisheries has not received specific reports on rising salinity and temperature in the Sundarbans affecting fish reproduction.
* ICAR studies under NICRA indicate climate change impacts on fish habitats, fish physiology, distribution, and breeding cycles, including in the Sundarbans.
Climate-Resilient Aquaculture Practices:
* The Department of Fisheries is promoting climate-resilient livelihood activities like aquaculture under PMMSY.
* The CRCFV component aims to develop 100 coastal fishermen villages as climate-resilient.
* ICAR advocates for adopting strategies such as farming salinity-tolerant fishes and improved aquaculture management practices in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal.
* The National Surveillance Programme on Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD) addresses disease risks in aquaculture systems, including climate-induced diseases.
Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) in West Bengal:
* Five coastal fishermen villages in West Bengal have been identified for development as CRCFV: Akshayanagar, Madanganj, Dera, Dakshin Kadua, and Tamliporiya Purba Mukundapur Maa Nayekali Matsya Khoti.
* The development of each CRCFV is under the Central Sector Scheme Component of PMMSY, with a unit cost of Rs 200 lakh fully funded by the Government of India.
* Rs 10 crores has been allocated to West Bengal for the five villages, pending receipt of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) from the State for fund release.
Coordination with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change:
* The Department of Fisheries is a member of the National Steering Committee on Climate Change (NSCCC), constituted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
* The NSCCC approves State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs), which are integral to the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), including those related to water and coastal zones.
Impact Analysis:
Government of West Bengal:
* Impact: Responsible for submitting Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the five selected CRCFVs to receive allocated funds.
* Action Required: Prepare and submit DPRs for the five identified villages to the Department of Fisheries.
Coastal Fishermen Villages in West Bengal:
* Impact: The five identified villages stand to benefit from development as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) under the PMMSY.
* Action Required: Engage with the project implementation to ensure the villages are developed in line with the climate resilience objectives.
Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying:
* Impact: Oversees the implementation of PMMSY and the development of CRCFVs. Member of NSCCC.
* Action Required: Review and approve DPRs submitted by West Bengal, release funds, and continue coordinating with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on climate change adaptation plans.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: The Indian government ministry responsible for fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A scheme by the Indian government to develop the fisheries sector.
West Bengal: A state in eastern India with a coastline where the CRCFV project is being implemented.
Sundarbans: A mangrove area in the delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal, and spans across parts of West Bengal, India and Bangladesh.
Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV): A component under PMMSY to develop coastal villages to be climate resilient.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): An autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India responsible for co-ordinating agricultural education and research in India.
South 24 Parganas, West Bengal: A district in West Bengal where coastal aquaculture vulnerability was assessed.
National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): A plan by the Indian government to address climate change.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3801
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12th AUGUST, 2025
CRCFV and PMMSY in West Bengal
3801. Ms Sayani Ghosh:
Will the MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be
pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of recent studies indicating that rising salinity and
temperature in the Sundarbans estuarine region are adversely affecting fish reproduction, if
so, the details thereof and the number of coastal villages affected across West Bengal;
(b) the steps taken by the Government to support climate-resilient aquaculture practices in
coastal areas of West Bengal;
(c) the total number of Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) selected on the
West Bengal coastline under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), along
with the funds allocated and released to the State; and
(d) whether the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is working in
coordination with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to incorporate fish
biodiversity concerns into coastal climate adaptation plans, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)
(a) & (b) There is no specific report received in the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of
Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying regarding rising salinity and temperature in the
Sundarbans estuarine region affecting fish reproduction. The fisheries research institutes
under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Government of India
has been conducting research regularly to understand the interactions between climatic
parameters and fisheries to develop mitigation and adaptation strategies. The ICAR has
informed that the studies under the National Innovation in Climate Resilient Agriculture
(NICRA) indicates the climate change is affecting the fisheries with impacts on fish habitats,
including the Sundarbans, physiology of fishes, fish distribution and breeding cycles.
To promote sustainable fisheries amid climate challenges, the Department of Fisheries
under PMMSY is promoting climate resilient livelihood activities like aquaculture. Under the
component, Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFVs). 100 coastal fishermen
villages located near India’s coastline are identified for development as climate resilient
coastal fishermen villages aimed at making these villages economically vibrant and resilient
to climate change, thereby improving the lives of the fishermen and their communities. ICAR
has assessed coastal aquaculture vulnerability in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal through
stakeholder engagement and advocates adoption of strategies that include farming salinity-
tolerant fishes for aquaculture and other aquaculture management practices. Additionally,
the National Surveillance Programme on Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD), implemented
by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India in collaboration with ICAR institutions
across the country, aims to address disease risks in aquaculture systems including the
climate-induced diseases.(c) & (d) The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying
in consultation with the Government of West Bengal has identified five coastal fishermen
villages in West Bengal namely (i) Akshayanagar, (ii) Madanganj, (iii) Dera, (iv) Dakshin
Kadua and (v) Tamliporiya - Purba Mukundapur (Maa Nayekali Matsya Khoti) for development
as CRCFV. The development of CRCFV has been taken up under the Central Sector Scheme
Component of PMMSY with a unit cost of Rs 200 lakh per fishing village, and the entire cost
(100%) is met by the Government of India. Accordingly, Rs 10 crores is allocated to West
Bengal for the five villages and the detailed project reports (DPR) are to be received from the
State for fund release.
Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, is a member
of the National Steering Committee on Climate Change (NSCCC) constituted by Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. This committee is involved
in the process of approving the State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs), which are
integral to the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) adaptation strategies,
including those related to water and coastal zones.
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