Executive Summary:
This document is the response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 274 regarding illegal fish farming and Khazan land management in Goa, answered on July 22, 2025. The response addresses concerns about breached bunds, restoration efforts, audits, and conservation of Khazan ecosystems. It clarifies the roles of various government departments and outlines financial assistance available through existing schemes.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Illegal Fish Farming and Khazan Land Management:**
* The Government of Goa's Department of Fisheries reports no instances of illegal fish farming breaching bunds and flooding Khazan lands.
* The formation of the Khazan Board falls under the purview of Goa's Department of Environment and Climate Change.
* **Audits and Bund Restoration:**
* The Government of Goa has not ordered independent audits of Water Resources Department and Agriculture works.
* Khazan bund works in Ponda and Neura are within approved expenditure limits, and the bunds are in stable condition.
* **Khazan Rehabilitation Mission:**
* NITI Aayog does not have any Khazan Rehabilitation Mission proposals under consideration.
* **Khazan Ecosystems and Conservation:**
* Khazan ecosystems are recognized for their significant role in biodiversity.
* The conservation and management of these ecosystems fall under the purview of various departments at the state level in Goa.
* There is no current proposal to integrate Khazan conservation into CRZ Coastal Mission funding.
* **Financial Assistance and Development Projects:**
* The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) provides financial assistance for fisheries activities, including fish/shrimp farming.
* The Department of Fisheries, Government of India (DoF, GoI) has approved fisheries development projects worth Rs. 116.85 crore in Goa under PMMSY in the last 5 years.
* These projects are expected to generate employment, build capacity, and promote holistic development of fisheries and aquaculture in Goa.
Impact Analysis:
* **Department of Fisheries, Government of Goa:**
* *Impact:* Clarifies that Khazan land management falls under other state departments and reports no breaches due to illegal fish farming.
* *Action Required:* Continue to monitor and report on fisheries activities and participate in relevant initiatives under PMMSY.
* **Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Goa:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for the formation of the Khazan Board.
* *Action Required:* Consider the formation of the Khazan Board.
* **Water Resources Department and Agriculture Department, Government of Goa:**
* *Impact:* Confirms that no independent audits have been ordered and that bund repairs are within budget and in stable condition.
* *Action Required:* Continue to maintain Khazan bunds and ensure adherence to approved expenditures.
* **NITI Aayog:**
* *Impact:* No current Khazan Rehabilitation Mission proposals are under consideration.
* *Action Required:* No action required.
* **Department of Fisheries, Government of India (DoF, GoI):**
* *Impact:* Provides financial assistance through PMMSY for fisheries development in Goa.
* *Action Required:* Continue to implement PMMSY and support fisheries development projects in Goa.
* **Fishermen and Fish Farmers in Goa:**
* *Impact:* Can benefit from financial assistance and development projects under PMMSY.
* *Action Required:* Participate in PMMSY schemes to enhance fish farming activities and improve livelihoods.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: The Indian government ministry responsible for fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying.
Khazan lands: A unique coastal ecosystem and traditional land management system found in Goa, India, characterized by reclaimed agricultural land protected by bunds.
Goa: A state in India where the Khazan lands are located and the focus of the policy questions.
Khazan Board: A proposed board for the management and conservation of Khazan lands in Goa.
Water Resources Department: A department responsible for water management and related infrastructure, possibly in Goa.
Agriculture Department: A department responsible for agriculture and related activities, possibly in Goa.
NITI Aayog: A policy think tank of the Government of India.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A flagship scheme implemented by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, aimed at the sustainable development of the fisheries sector.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 274
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22ND JULY, 2025
Illegal Fish Farming
274. Shri Captain Viriato Fernandes:
Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased
to state:
(a) the details of illegal fish-farming breaching bunds and flooding over 13,000 hectare of
Khazan lands in Goa and the time by which the Government proposes to activate the
Khazan Board, secure restoration funds, and prosecute offenders;
(b) whether the Government has ordered independent audits of Water Resources
Department and Agriculture works to recover cost overruns, and complete bundh
restoration within six months despite Rs. 2.5 cr. in Ponda and Rs. 9.2 cr. in Neura for
repairs, faulty work, devastating farmers;
(c) whether 60–70% of Khazan bundhs which are in poor condition and whether the Centre
proposes to launch a 10,000 hactare Khazan Rehabilitation Mission through NITI
Aayog/NMNA to repair sluice gates, desilt fields, and revive traditional water systems if so,
the details thereof;
(d) the details of present Khazan ecosystems’ role in biodiversity, flood control, and saline
resistant agriculture; and
(e) whether the Government would integrate their conservation into CRZ/Coastal Mission
funding and support youth-led co-ops and capacity-building and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)
(a): Department of Fisheries, Government of Goa has informed that the subject matter of
Khazan lands and its related management comes under the Departments of Environment
& Climate Change, Agriculture, and Revenue in the State and that there are no such details
of illegal fish farming breaching bunds and flooding into Khazan lands have been reported.
It is further informed that notifying the formation of Khazan Board comes under the purview
of Department of Environment & Climate Change, Government of Goa.
(b): The Government of Goa has informed that no such independent audit has been
ordered for the works undertaken by the Agriculture Department and as far as Khazan
bunds works in Ponda and Neura the expenditure incurred on these works is within the
limits of the approved expenditure sanction and both bunds are currently in stable condition.(c): NITI Aayog has informed that there is no such proposals under consideration.
(d) and (e): Khazan ecosystems play significant role in biodiversity and as informed by
Government of Goa that their conservation and management comes under the purview of
various Departments at the State level. Currently there is no such proposal for integrating
their conservation into CRZ/Coastal Mission funding. However, under the Pradhan Mantri
Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) implemented by Department of Fisheries, Government
of India (DoF, GoI), financial assistance is provided to various fisheries activities including
fish/shrimp farming. The scheme is under implementation in all States/UTs including Goa.
During last 5 years under PMMSY the DoF, GoI has approved fisheries developmental
projects worth Rs. 116.85 crore in the State of Goa, which also included fish farming
activities. The approved activities envisage significant employment generation, capacity-
building and holistic development of fisheries and aquaculture in Goa State.
****