By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, FEB 17, 2021: THE Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) on Wednesday said it has rolled out the draft Blue Economy Policy in the public domain inviting suggestions and inputs from various stakeholders on the government's plans to utilise maritime resources.

"The policy document aims to enhance contribution of the blue economy to India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), improve lives of coastal communities, preserve marine biodiversity, and maintain the national security of marine areas and resources," said an official statement.

The government released the first draft of its Blue Economy Policy, covering an entire ocean resources system and human-made economic infrastructure in marine, maritime, and onshore coastal zones within the country's legal jurisdiction on January 26.

It aids the production of goods and services that have clear linkages with economic growth, environmental sustainability, and national security, like island tourism, marine biotechnology, and deep sea-mining.

The highlights of the policy include an accounting framework to assess the growth of the blue economy, mapping of India's nearly 7,500 km coastline, developing marine clusters for port-led development and ship building, marine diplomacy and dealing with marine pollution.

"The blue economy is a vast socio-economic opportunity for coastal nations like India to utilize ocean resources for societal benefit responsibly," said the MoES.

The ministry prepared the draft Blue Economy Policy framework in line with the government's vision of 'New India' by 2030.

With 1,382 islands, 199 ports, and Exclusive Economic Zone of over 2 million square kilometre, India has vast maritime interests.

"The blue economy occupies a vital potential position in India's economic growth. It could well be the next multiplier of GDP and well-being, provided sustainability and socio-economic welfare are kept centre stage," the MoES emphasised.

The ministry said it was inviting public consultations from the industry, NGOs, academia and citizens to submit their ideas on the draft policy by February 27, 2021.