Govt may lease out coastline to earn forex

Govt may lease out coastline to earn forex

MUMBAI, MAR 1: In a move designed for the optimum utilisation of vacant saltlands along the 720 km coastline, the Maharashtra Government proposes to lease out plots to private parties for prawn farming. This proposed wholly export oriented project, aimed at getting foreign exchange, is likely to be operational by early 2002. The government is working on the modalities of making this project an eco-friendly one.

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A series of meetings have been held with various agencies to study the feasibility of the project. According to sources the idea has been well received and is awaiting Cabinet nod. A report on the proposed project has been prepared by the Fisheries department and has been duly submitted for perusal and consideration. "The land along the coastline is lying vacant and unused and faces the threat of being encroached upon at various places. After studying the Andhra Pradesh model, the idea of cultivating this land by encouraging prawn farming was mooted. Though the fishermen along the Maharashtra coastline do get a good catch, they are unable to send it abroad as there are no processing units. Processed fish fetches more foreign exchange than the raw one. So a major chunk of the catch is sold to Kerala which exports it at 200 times the buying price," said the source.

In comparison to other varieties of fish, prawns fetch a very high price in the international market. According to the proposal the land will be leased out to private parties for a specified period. On the expiry of the lease, it will either be renewed or leased out to a new party. If the cultivator has violated any clause effected by the government, the agreement can be annulled. "However as we are working on the proposals it is still too premature to highlight all the details," said the source.

The capacity per farm will be decided upon and the cultivator will have to strictly adhere to the norms. The Marine Product Export Development Authority (MPEDA), SICOM and NABARD are expected to provide loans to cultivators. "The cultivation plan will have to be approved by the fisheries department as it has to be an eco friendly project. Besides such farming will stop the erosion of saltlands along the coastline," said the source.

With the state having embarked on the modernisation and development of 19 jetties and ports at an estimated cost of Rs 60 crore, the produce will be able to reach the market quickly. These jetties and prots will be equipped with cooling centres, fish cleaning centres with fresh water taps, tar roads and auction halls.